Errant Alisson bailed out by unflappable veteran James Milner

Liverpool: What happened next appeared to unfold in slow motion. Alisson did reach Van Dijk’s back header first, ahead of Ryan Babel, the former Liverpool winger but, inexplicably, he challenged with his feet, rather than plunging low to gather with his hands. Perhaps, Alisson was worried that he had left his area. He had not. Cue the ricochet, a tap in for Babel and a major flutter for the travelling support. Liverpool could not afford to drop points at Fulham. Their margin for error in the Premier League title battle with Manchester City had stood – and continues to stand – at zero. So how was their bottle now? The demons from the recent draws at West Ham, Manchester United and Everton circled.