Liverpool were left frustrated as they had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Fulham on Saturday.The Reds were made to dig deep and fight for their first Premier League point of the season in what looked like, on paper, a reasonably easy way to get their 2022/23 campaign underway.Fulham looked far, far better than they did on the opening weekend of their last Premier League campaign when they lost 3-0 at home to Arsenal, piling on the pressure across a brilliant first-half.

Mitrovic and Nunez exchange goals

And the Cottagers eventually got the goal that they so thoroughly deserved for their efforts with Aleksandar Mitrovic using Trent Alexander-Arnold as a step-ladder to score from Kenny Tete's cross.

The hosts wanted to protect their lead until the interval and things got even worse for Liverpool when they emerged from the break only for Thiago Alcantara to be forced off the pitch with an injury.

But there was a silver lining amongst the early wobbles as Jurgen Klopp's decision to bring on Darwin Nunez, as well as Harvey Elliott, in place of the crocked Spaniard and Roberto Firmino proved to be a masterstroke.

That's because the Reds' marquee signing bagged his second goal in as many games for the club - or so it seemed - when his flicked effort found the back of the net potentially with a helping hand from Tosin Adarabioyo.

Mitrovic scores from the spot

However, there was another Mitrovic-sized twist in the tale for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders as he fired Fulham back into the lead yet again having won a penalty at the expense of Virgil van Dijk.

While VAR ummed and arred briefly about whether or not it was the right call, Fulham eventually got their wish and Mitrovic duly slotted past Alisson Becker to put the newly-promoted side 2-1 up.

Salah saves the day for Liverpool

As such, Liverpool needed to go back to the drawing board again and their second equaliser of the afternoon came through a familiar source as Mohamed Salah opened his Premier League account for the season.

The Egyptian star scored on the opening day of term for the sixth year running when he profited from some penalty box confusion, perpetuated by Nunez, to slot the ball past Marek Rodák for 2-2.

But there ultimately wasn't to be a winning goal for the Merseyside club as the moment that Jordan Henderson's stoppage-time curler struck the crossbar, they were consigned to their fate of a winless opening game.

Mitrovic bullying Liverpool

As such, the prevailing narrative surrounded that of Mitrovic's Man of the Match performance, both for his two crucial goals for Marco Silva's men and his general, all-round bullying of the visitors.

Whether it was the way in which he won Fulham's crucial penalty or just generally not giving Liverpool's back four a moment of peace, Mitrovic sent a real message to those doubting his top-flight pedigree.

And few moments illustrated just how much Mitrovic lived rent-free in the heads of Liverpool's players than his magnificent run from one end of the pitch to the other during the second-half.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Liverpool - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 6, 2022 Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic in action with Liverpool's Jordan Henderson Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Mitrovic mugs off Henderson and Van Dijk

Why? Well, because he happened to leave Jordan Henderson in a tangle of limbs and Van Dijk wondering where the ball had gone in a brilliant transition from his own defensive third to create a Fulham attack.

It might not make for the most jaw-dropping skills show you'll see all season - maybe even this weekend - but boy did it sum up what Mitrovic did to Liverpool on Saturday, so be sure to check it out below:

Fan reaction

Superb from Fulham and Mitrovic

Defending against Mitrovic does not look fun.

The criticism that has consistently been lodged against the Serbian striker is that he always seems to thrive in the Championship, only to struggle in the Premier League, but this could be the season that changes the narrative.

There are still 37 tough games to come as Fulham fight off the ever-present danger of relegation, but if both Mitrovic and the wider team can replicate their Liverpool performance each week, then they'll be laughing.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Liverpool - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 6, 2022 Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring their second goal as Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk looks on Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

We wouldn't be surprised if the Liverpool players checked under their bed for Mitrovic before they go to sleep tonight...