Fulham's hopes of qualifying for European competition for the first time in almost two decades took a major hit after a dismal 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. The Cottagers must now beat Brentford next week to still have any chance of qualifying for Europe.
After the best part of a month of build-up, Fulham returned to Premier League action with a whimper at Anfield, as Liverpool strengthened their grip on fifth spot with a 2-0 win.
Marco Silva named an unchanged side from the one that defeated Burnley 3-1 last time out, against a much-changed Liverpool, but there was no obvious indication of this.
Fulham were meek, timid even against a Liverpool side who snapped their three-game winless streak with ease.
With European football very much on the cards, this was a performance that frustrated Fulham fans.
The Cottagers did not lay a glove on Liverpool until the second half, but by then it was too late.
Quickfire goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah came in four first-half minutes, and before Fulham could blink, they were already 2-0 down at half-time.
The second half was better, but there was still a distinct lack of the desire required to land what would have been only a third-ever win at Anfield.
This was a weakened Liverpool team who were extremely low in confidence and there were clearly holes in the defence.
Fulham realised this early in the second half but could not make Liverpool pay and were left to die wondering whether they could have made more of an impact.
From the outset, Liverpool were on top and Salah could have given the home side the lead after just 13 minutes when Bernd Leno made a sharp save.
Chances kept coming, with Cody Gakpo unable to direct a chance on target after 20 minutes.
Harry Wilson had the best effort of the first half for Fulham with an effort that went just over and just three minutes later, the Cottagers found themselves a goal, and then two goals down.
Rodrigo Muniz should have done better from a free header that he was unable to direct on target and Emile Smith Rowe also missed a big chance with the goal at his mercy.
This was never a match in which Fulham were not necessarily expected to come away with anything but the performance will have raised questions.
Before kick-off, they were ninth, if results don’t go their way tomorrow, they could drop as low as 13th.
And, with Brentford and Everton sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw and Brighton beating Burnley 2-0, as well as Bournemouth coming away from Arsenal with a 2-1 win, this weekend could not have gone any worse thus far.
It now makes the match against Brentford on Saturday an absolute must-win clash - win and Europe is still on, lose and it will be another case of what if.