Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Fulham got underway at Anfield at 5.30pm BST, with both sides starting in the expected 4-2-3-1 shape.
Fulham kicked off from left to right as the game began, while the home crowd quickly turned its attention to Andy Robertson. The Anfield support launched into a song for the Scotland defender, who announced earlier in the week that he will leave Liverpool this summer.
The atmosphere inside the stadium reflected the significance of the occasion, with Liverpool fans greeting the start of the match by backing one of their long-serving players. Robertson, who cost the club £8m, was the subject of the early chant as the teams settled into their positions.
This was one of the Premier League fixtures being followed closely on a live updates page, with readers able to track the latest scores and table developments as the match unfolded. The focus at the start, however, was firmly on the opening exchanges and the farewell mood around Robertson’s announcement.
Both teams approached the contest in familiar fashion, and the early moments suggested a tactical match-up shaped by the anticipated 4-2-3-1 formations. With Liverpool at home and Fulham away from home, the opening phases were as much about rhythm and organisation as they were about the emotion in the stands.
For Liverpool supporters, Robertson’s departure news added an extra layer to the afternoon. The left-back has been a notable figure for the club, and the reaction at Anfield showed the appreciation held for him as the season moved toward its final stretch.
As the match continued beyond the first minute, the game settled into its normal Premier League tempo, but the early scenes had already provided a reminder of the atmosphere that can surround live football at Anfield: a competitive fixture, a strong home crowd, and an emotional tribute to a player whose time at the club is nearing its end.
