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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Virgil van Dijk fumes at Andy Robertson as Hollywood A-Lister watches Liverpool at Fulham

Liverpool's Premier League season started with a stumble as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Fulham on Saturday.

After Darwin Nunez had cancelled out Aleksandar Mitrovic's opener in the second half, the Fulham striker made it 2-1 from the penalty spot after going down under a challenge from Virgil van Dijk.

Mohamed Salah levelled again for the visitors but they couldn't force a late winner and were instead made to take home a frustrating point that Jurgen Klopp felt his side were fortunate to earn, given their performance.

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But you knew all of that, right? What you might have missed, however, were a series of intriguing subplots to the afternoon at Craven Cottage.

Lewis away from Liverpool's Homeland

It's not every day you see a bona-fide A-lister cheering on their team in the away end, but that's exactly what some Fulham supporters could see on Saturday afternoon as Billions and Homeland star Damien Lewis turned out for the game.

The Band of Brothers actor is a well-known Liverpool fan but was seated in the home end at Craven Cottage, as he crammed himself into one of the old wooden seats at the ground, just to the left of the press box. No corporate box for this Hollywood star it would seem.

At one point, Lewis could even be heard shouting encouragement to Andy Robertson as the Liverpool left-back came out to take a throw-in and the actor appeared to enjoy his afternoon on the whole with his young son, happily posing for pictures for other match-goers at half time. Perhaps less said about the result itself, however.

Van Dijk fume

Andy Robertson risked the wrath of team-mate Virgil van Dijk midway through the second half by ignoring a loud call from the centre-back.

As the Dutch defender went to rise highest and clear a ball with a firm header, Robertson instead nipped in and did it himself, perhaps not quite getting the purchase on it that his colleague would have done.

Clearly irked by being beaten by the header - and the fact the Fulham attack was kept alive by the failure to clear the lines - Van Dijk let out a frustrated roar at Robertson and his inability to properly get rid.

Rather Robertson than us!

Carvalho's heroics remembered

There was a special welcome for Fabio Carvalho as the Liverpool team bus made its way into Craven Cottage on Saturday morning.

As Jurgen Klopp's players walked into the stadium from their bus, they were treated to some fanfare as the Fulham followers got a glimpse of the likes of Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk and Alisson Becker in the flesh.

It was Carvalho whose name was chanted the longest, however, as he made his way through with a huge smile on his face. The Portugal Under-21 international was a huge part of the side that was promoted from the Championship last season and it's clear the Cottagers faithful have not forgotten his efforts.

It would no doubt have been a strange prospect for 19-year-old Carvalho to make his Liverpool debut against his former club at his old stamping ground, but the fans are still very appreciative for what he did to get them back to the top flight.

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