Virgil van Dijk beams during Fulham vs. Liverpool, but a red card is missed as four things were observed.

Liverpool managed their hectic schedule admirably, as they prevailed over Fulham despite fielding a different lineup. This is what we saw, and Virgil van Dijk was happy to see it.

FULHAM CRAVEN COTTAGE The Liverpool team that headed to the city to play Fulham was significantly changed. Even though there were a few recurring issues, Jürgen Klopp will believe his adjustments were warranted.

Speaking prior to kickoff, Klopp called attention to the demanding calendar that lies ahead, which features a lot of away games. However, he undoubtedly harboured the hope of shocking this Liverpool team into action as well.

Even though it required a spectacular free kick to break the deadlock, the Reds did appear somewhat improved, even though it was more methodical than dramatic. Although Fulham managed to equalise with minimal effort, Liverpool’s first open-play goal in several hours was courtesy of Ryan Gravenberch, who helped to restore both the lead and the shaky optimism.

The match ended 3-1, and there was joy when Diogo Jota extended the advantage, sending Liverpool on their way to their first really comfortable result in months. These are the four observations Liverpool.com made during the course of the match.

Liverpool have been missing it’s conductor.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the few bright spots in the midweek matchup against Atalanta. He was a true bright spark from the beginning, making his first start there after returning from injury.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the few bright spots in the midweek matchup against Atalanta. He was a really bright spark from the start of his first game back after his injury, however one that eventually faded and he was pulled.

In addition to making headlines with his spectacular free-kick against Fulham this afternoon, he also reaffirmed his status as the team’s creative centre. While spectacular goals like this one each week won’t solve the team’s finishing issues, he will at least guarantee a consistent flow of opportunities, setting up a fantastic chance for Luis Díaz in the first few minutes here.

With his signature right half-space, Alexander-Arnold swung in a seductive cross and challenged a teammate to attack it. Díaz fulfilled his obligation, although his header was just narrowly saved by the post.

However, creating chances is a proven method to succeed in the long run, and Alexander-Arnold is one of the best at it. With the title still only one Man City and Arsenal mistake away, he might still have a significant impact on the rest of the season. However, Liverpool will expect to have its conductor at the helm for many years to come.

Palhinha is fortunate to only let up one goal.

During the summer, João Palhinha was connected to Liverpool. Following an impressive season with Fulham, his age is the only factor preventing additional major transfer rumours this year.

A genuine demolisher, he tops the league in tackles made. However, he also draws yellow cards easily and ought to have been sent off against Liverpool.

Firstly, Cody Gakpo was fouled. Arriving as it did on the brink of the Fulham box, it was close to earning a yellow card. His irascible ball-kicking away should have resulted in a booking, though.

Minutes later, the referee found his card for a foul on Diogo Jota in a similarly hazardous area. Although Liverpool would have preferred to see Palhinha leave, Alexander-Arnold got his own comeuppance, as it was from this free kick that the Reds took the lead thanks to a curling shot into the top corner.

Van Dijk beams

When Ryan Gravenberch gave Liverpool their lead back, both players and supporters were relieved. However, Virgil van Dijk appeared to be the happiest person inside Craven Cottage.

Gravenberch’s club and national captain, who was a teammate at the international level, was obviously thrilled. He walked forward to join in the festivities and grinned broadly as he congratulated the goal scorer.

There are those that want Gravenberch to succeed besides Van Dijk. This strike served as a timely reminder of his obvious potential after he had failed to make an impression on the game and earn his start throughout the opening fifty minutes of the match.

Travelling Kop spot moment of class

Even with his pivotal part in all of the success under Klopp, Andy Robertson is occasionally overlooked. The Premier League’s all-time top assister is portrayed as a workhorse who can cross the ball well but not much more.

It’s possible that his excessive one-footedness damages his technical abilities reputation. However, Robertson is one of the more accomplished players on his left, at least, and the opposing supporters made sure to give him their congratulations.

Running onto Alexander-spattered Arnold’s signature pass, it appeared to be a difficult one for Robertson. He didn’t only grab the ball out of the sky, though; he also gave a beautiful backheel to a teammate to keep Liverpool attacking.

Rightly so, the Liverpool end answered with Robertson’s chant. Not just Alexander-Arnold, the full-back, was displaying his class in the nation’s capital.