KUALA LUMPUR – Approximately 200 Liverpool fans were treated to a special first day of the Premier League season as they got to watch their club take on Fulham in the presence of club legend John Barnes.
The erstwhile wing wizard was in town to catch his former club as they kicked off the new season with diehard Liverpool fans in Lalaport, Bukit Bintang at a watch party held by Astro.
On the prospect of the Reds squaring up against title-holders Manchester City, Barnes said both sides look formidable.
“I think Liverpool have just as good a chance for the title this season as City.
“In terms of consistency, both teams are miles ahead of the competition,” he said at the event.
Barnes also took a friendly jab at rivals Manchester United, pointing out several spectators wearing the Red Devils’ colours.
“They look sad because their team did not do very good last season.
“With how the team (Manchester United) is now, they have to give power to the manager, Erik ten Hag, otherwise it’s going to be a difficult season,” said the English Football Hall of Famer.
The match however did not go completely as Liverpool fans would have wished as it ended in 2-2 draw.
Serbian Aleksandar Mitrovic gave newly promoted Fulham the lead at the 32nd minute, but Liverpool’s €100-million man Darwin Nunez evened the scoreline with a smart flick in the second half.
Even though Mitrovic struck again to put Fulham 2-1 up from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, it was the Egyptian Messi, Mohamed Salah who scored in the 80th minute and gave his side a point on their opening day.
A win would have been better, but Kopites can take away some positives moving forward knowing that their team can turn the heat up when they need to.
Liverpool play Crystal Palace next on August 16, followed by a visit to Manchester on August 23 to face United. – The Vibes, August 6, 2022
