Liverpool ended their three-game shedding streak throughout all competitions by beating Fulham, 2-0, at Anfield on Saturday.
The opener got here within the thirty sixth minute when Rio Ngumoha acquired Florian Wirtz‘s cross and jinked his method into house from Timothy Castagne, then effortlessly curled his shot contained in the far publish.
A sight into Liverpool’s potential future was swiftly adopted by a well-known sight simply 4 minutes later, with Mohamed Salah making use of the medical end to a flowing transfer to double the hosts’ lead.
The second half did not present the identical spectacle for the house crowd, but their win ensures the Reds will keep fifth within the Premier League by the top of this weekend, whereas they at the moment sit two factors behind Aston Villa.
Positives
We’ll begin with the obvious constructive: Ngumoha. He was vivid all through and provided the spark Liverpool wanted to open the scoring. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if the 17-year-old’s show persuades supervisor Arne Slot to begin him in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain.
For the remainder of the staff, they utterly managed the ball for big durations of the primary half and regarded comfy a number of the time. Regardless that the Reds weren’t pretty much as good within the second half as that they had been within the first, Giorgi Mamardashvili was by no means labored an excessive amount of.
Negatives
Given the Reds’ dominance, they could have anticipated to check Bernd Leno extra earlier than Ngumoha’s purpose. There have been additionally some regarding alternatives that Fulham may have scored from if that they had been extra medical, with Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz and Emile Smith Rowe all lacking the goal from promising positions. It can have been disappointing to see Curtis Jones go off injured at half time.
Supervisor score (1-10; 10 = finest)
Arne Slot, 8 — Slot’s large resolution was to play Ngumoha and saying that it paid off could be an understatement. His facet had a component of management for big durations and regarded effectively set-up, however he will not be happy along with his facet’s efficiency within the latter phases.
Participant scores
GK Giorgi Mamardashvili, 6 — Made a few of his saves look as routine as they need to have been and did effectively to palm away a Josh King shot.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 — Regarded equally commanding and did effectively to move away a doubtlessly threatening free-kick, earlier than getting himself in entrance of Emile Smith Rowe’s try. Did effectively to chop out Sander Berge’s cross after Joe Gomez’s lax cross.
DF Ibrahima Konaté, 7 — Was largely comfy and disregarded King when it regarded like there may be an opportunity for Fulham to get behind.
DF Andrew Robertson, 7 — Enjoying his first recreation because it was introduced he would go away on the finish of the season, Robertson obtained in some promising positions however noticed one shot blocked by Wilson earlier than letting off a tame try. Defended effectively at instances when wanted.
DF Jeremie Frimpong, 8 — Provided an actual menace going ahead and offered high quality deliveries for Andrew Robertson, Salah and Cody Gakpo. Confirmed persistence to maintain a ball in regardless of the presence of Antonee Robinson.
MF Dominik Szoboszlai, 8 — Usually offered a combination of vitality and high quality however noticed a shot blocked after doing effectively to begin a transfer. Delivered a nook that was very awkward for Leno to take care of.
MF Curtis Jones, 7 — Broke up play effectively at instances and was neat on the ball however was pressured off injured at half time.
FW Florian Wirtz, 7 — Performed some beautiful passes and had a job within the build-up for each of Liverpool’s objectives, however there have been a few events the place the Germany worldwide may have accomplished extra to maintain his pictures down.
FW Rio Ngumoha, 9 — Was fearless and masterfully labored house from Timothy Castagne and bent the ball contained in the far publish for his first-ever purpose at Anfield. Jinked inside once more and located the cross within the lead-up to Salah’s purpose.
FW Mohamed Salah, 8 — Noticed one shot saved by Leno and one other blocked by Sander Berge, however he wasn’t to be denied and scored with a well-taken end. Was introduced off to heat applause after a constructive show.
FW Cody Gakpo, 7 — Struggled to work Leno along with his personal pictures however did effectively to manage Ngumoha’s cross and lay the ball off for Salah to attain the Reds’ second. Will really feel he ought to have accomplished extra with Frimpong’s cross.
Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes = no score)
Ryan Gravenberch (Jones, 45′), 6 — Did the straightforward issues effectively along with serving to his defence at instances. With that mentioned, one clearance regarded very panicky.
Alexis Mac Allister (Wirtz, 69′), 6 — Fizzed a shot agonisingly previous the publish from a promising place.
Alexander Isak (Ngumoha, 69′), 6 — Would have thought he had an opportunity till Calvin Bassey obtained his head on Robertson’s cross. Had a few different balls frustratingly evade him however put in a shift for the staff.
Joe Gomez (Frimpong, 69′), 4 — Was saved by Van Dijk after his lax cross was minimize out by Berge. Additionally had some moments the place he struggled defensively, together with a poor sort out on Alex Iwobi.
