Fulham’s Wall: Bassey’s heroics against Liverpool earn him elite praise

• Fulham’s Calvin Bassey produced a defensive masterclass that neutralised Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah in a 3–2 win over Liverpool.
• Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given boldly compared Bassey's career path to that of Virgil van Dijk.
• The Nigerian defender kept Salah from registering a single shot on target, which is no small feat against a 27-goal striker.

It was a performance that turned heads, silenced Anfield’s finest, and lit up Craven Cottage. As Fulham stunned Premier League leaders Liverpool with a dramatic 3–2 victory, one name stood tall amidst the drama: Calvin Bassey. 

The Nigerian centre-back delivered a commanding display against the league’s most potent attacker, Mohamed Salah, prompting lofty praise from pundits, including former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given.

Bassey, 25, played a crucial role as Fulham brought an end to Liverpool’s 26-match unbeaten run. While Rodrigo Muniz and Alex Iwobi grabbed headlines for their goals, Bassey’s gritty, composed, and aggressive defending stole the spotlight. 

Salah, who has notched 27 goals this season, failed to register a single shot on target, a rare stat that spoke volumes of Bassey’s dominance.

Fulham boss Marco Silva was quick to highlight his centre-back’s performance, saying Bassey possessed all the attributes required to become a top-class defender: athleticism, timing, strength, and decision-making under pressure, 

“Now he has to be more consistent,” Silva remarked, hinting at the next step in Bassey’s development.

Statistically, Bassey was immense. He registered five clearances, three tackles, a blocked shot, and an interception, all while keeping Liverpool’s front line second-guessing. 

But beyond the numbers, his confidence with the ball and willingness to take risks showed how much he has matured since his Rangers days.

Shay Given, speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day 2, went a step further. He compared Bassey’s rise to that of Virgil van Dijk, citing similarities in their career paths. 

Van Dijk, like Bassey, rose through Scottish football before making his name in England. Given wondered aloud whether Bassey could follow suit,

“He’s 25 and in his prime. Strong, composed, and enjoying his football, he even did a Cruyff turn. Marco [Silva] knows he’s got a top player. Am I getting ahead of myself to say Bassey could be in that bracket?” said Given.

Bassey, who helped Rangers to a Europa League final and a league title before joining Ajax, has now become central to Fulham’s European ambitions. If he continues on this trajectory, comparisons with the very best may no longer sound far-fetched.

Iwobi shines as Fulham extend unbeaten streak to 9 matches, celebrates with Nigerian delicacy

Previously, TheRadar reported that Premier League side Fulham delivered a resounding 4-1 victory over Watford at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night, January 9, to secure their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. 

Nigerian international Alex Iwobi was at the heart of the action as he displayed his creativity with several final third passes in midfield before being substituted in the 66th minute. 

Post-match, Iwobi shared a glimpse of his celebratory mood by posting a video of himself preparing to enjoy fufu and egusi soup while singing a popular gospel song.