Quickfire goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a much-needed win over Fulham in the race to qualify for the Champions League. The Reds came into the match having lost three on the spin, but broke down a plucky Fulham side to take a two-goal lead into the break, with both Ngumoha and Salah curling past Bernd Leno. The win takes them back into the top five ahead of Sunday’s fixtures, and they will hope to put breathing space between themselves and Chelsea as they host Manchester City.
Where Liverpool have seemed shaky and vulnerable in recent matches, here they were confident and self-assured, doing well to ride out extended spells of Fulham possession. The Cottagers were far from their best, though, and struggled badly to make the most of their abundant possession, territory and set-piece opportunities.
The Reds return to action midweek, hosting Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, but will have to contend with an injury to Curtis Jones. Catch up with the action from Anfield as it happened below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis.
Liverpool vs Fulham latest news
GOAL! Salah doubles Liverpool lead How to watch: Sky SportsLive updates
FULL-TIME: Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
That does it! A huge three points for Liverpool.
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
90+3mins: Andersen is down in a heap having seemingly caught a stud to the top of his foot. He wants a penalty for it. Anthony Taylor is bemused.
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
90+2mins: Fulham’s corner does not beat the first man. The Cottagers have been dreadful from the set-piece today.
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
90+1mins: Four minutes have been added on, and Castagne wins another corner for Fulham.
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
90mins: Trey Nyoni replaces the evening’s second goalscorer, Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
89mins: Fulham continue to ask questions of the Liverpool defence, but their shots on goal are speculative at best and time is quickly running out for them to turn this around.
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
86mins: Jimenez hits one on the half volley. His shot has Mamardashvili worried but flashes wide of the post.
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
85mins: It just isn’t happening for Fulham - they can’t get through this Liverpool back line. Berge is the latest to try and find the door slammed in his face.
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
81mins: Mac Allister lashes wide from the edge of the area.
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
80mins: Wilson has been Fulham’s talisman this season, but he was well off it today. Poor performance from the Welshman.
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