Liverpool keep pace at the top despite Mohamed Salah goal controversy as Xherdan Shaqiri seals win
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham: Salah’s opener went in just seconds after Aleksandar Mitrovic saw one of his own debatably ruled out for offside, though Shaqiri’s effort put the result beyond doubt
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Wrongly denied a goal by an erroneous offside flag at Arsenal the previous weekend, Liverpool were sent on their way to victory over Fulham at Anfield by what appeared a similar officiating error.
Liverpool had dominated the ball but were struggling to break down the bottom-of-the-table visitors when Aleksandar Mitrovic headed home five minutes from half-time.
An assistant referee's flag though cut short the visitors' celebrations and within seconds Mohamed Salah had raced away at the other end to score his eighth of the season and break the deadlock.
Replays suggested the Mitrovic decision was borderline. That's what happens when you're bottom of the league.
Xherdan Shaqiri's lovely volley early in the second half was his second at Anfield in eight days and effectively ended the game as a contest. Influential throughout, perhaps it made up for the Swiss being forced to miss the midweek defeat in Belgrade for political reasons.
Liverpool had endured a difficult week, that defeat to Red Star potentially jeopardising their hopes of Champions League qualification
It was, for many supporters, a result which had been coming, given the lack of fluidity and flow to the Reds' play in recent weeks for all they had remained unbeaten in the Premier League.
But victory here took them back to the top of the Premier League, even if only for an hour or two.
Before the game, the Liverpool manager spoke of the need for his team to rediscover the joy in their football.
"We are at our best, in football and in life, when we are joyful and spirited, when we are courageous and positive," he said in the match programme.
It wasn't always evident and the play was sloppy at times but they did enough to feel they deserved to emerge victorious.
Serbian manager Slavisa Jokanovic made three changes of his own from the side defeated so meekly at Huddersfield, a result which left him urging his players to start taking responsibility for their own performances.
They were better here, much better, but still not good enough, their goals conceded tally now at a league high 31.
For all their dominance of the ball, Liverpool's early play still lacked sharpness and energy, Mane's heavy touch costing him the chance to run in on Rico's goal.
And the game's fate may have changed in those 30 seconds of play five minutes before the break.
Fulham captain Tom Cairney's curling cross was headed home by an unmarked Mitrovic but the visitors' joy was shortlived with the flag up for offside.
Alisson quickly looked to capitalise on his luck by sending Alexander-Arnold on his way and when his pass released Salah, the ball was in the other net within seconds. Fulham will curse their luck.
Liverpool had dominated the ball in the opening period, but their chances had generally been difficult ones.
Sadio Mane shot wide early on while Shaqiri's shot flew just the wrong side of the post.
One moment of real class saw Salah and Firmino twice exchange give and goes on the edge of the box but Sergio Rico quickly closed down the Egyptian as he closed in on goal.
Alexander-Arnold headed over from Fabinho's diagonal and Rico denied Salah from a narrow angle.
Indeed Fulham should have been ahead midway through the half, Ryan Sessegnon dragging his shot wide after an error from Joe Gomez. Andre Schurrle's drive bothered Alisson but Virgil van Dijk got his goalkeeper out of trouble.
Eight minutes into the second half, Andy Robertson's long cross from the left found Shaqiri unmarked and his superb volley took the game out of Fulham's reach.
Mane and Salah went close to extending the advantage but this was Liverpool still someway below their best. It feels like we've said that a few times this season but with 30 points out of 36, Jurgen Klopp just may not care.
Boy how Fulham boss Jokanovic, the axe drifting ever nearer, would love to swap places.
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