Liverpool vs Fulham: Mohamed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri secure comfortable win for hosts
Re-live all the action from Anfield
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A marginal offside decision piled further pressure on Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic as Liverpool's mood was lifted by a 2-0 win at Anfield.
Aleksandar Mitrovic thought he had given the visitors a crucial breakthrough just before half-time only to be ruled out by the tightest of calls from assistant referee Adrian Holmes.
To add insult to injury, Liverpool scored 12 seconds later through Mohamed Salah's 34th goal in his last 36 home appearances with Xherdan Shaqiri justifying his return to the starting line-up with their second just after the break.
In his programme notes Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, sensing the deflation which accompanied their midweek Champions League defeat to Red Star Belgrade, called for a performance which was "joyful and spirited".
It was not quite that, but victory transformed a run of three wins in nine matches into four in six as they equalled their highest Premier League points tally (30) after 12 games, while also conceding their lowest number (five) at the same stage.
Despite these statistics they will still require rivals to take points off defending champions Manchester City, whom they briefly supplanted at the top of the table just a couple of hours before their derby encounter at the Etihad.
Re-live the action below:
30 mins: Liverpool 0 - 0 Fulham
Schurrle gets the ball in some space on the edge of Liverpool's area. He shoots and Alisson dives to stop it. He does but parries it back into the danger area and Mitrovic tries to get there but van Dijk clears it away.
33 mins: Liverpool 0 - 0 Fulham
Chambers gives away a free kick about 25 yards away form goal. Shaqiri takes it but hits the wall. Liverpool win it back but Le Marchand makes a good challenge.
At the other end, Sessegnon splits Gomez and van Dijk to finds enough space to get a shot away for Fulham. It's high and it's wide so there's not a lot going for it.
36 mins: Liverpool 0 - 0 Fulham
Robertson puts the ball into the box from the left meeting a run from Mane. Mane pulls it back and Shaqiri hits it first time with his left foot, sending it wide of the goal.
39 mins: Liverpool 0 - 0 Fulham
Fulham are defending with every white shirt in between the ball and the goal. A long ball gets them a throw in though and Anguissa wins a free kick.
40 mins: Liverpool 1 - 0 Fulham - Salah
That's heartbreaking for Fulham. They play a quick corner and Cairney gets the ball into the box. Mitrovic gets a free header and scores only to be ruled offside. Alisson takes the free kick quickly working it down the right. The ball comes out to Salah who runs past the sleeping Fulham defenders and puts the ball past Rico.
45 mins: Liverpool 1 - 0 Fulham
Liverpool have been made to work hard for the opening goal. Fulham have been disciplined in defence and have created some really good chances when they've got the ball forward. It was good work from Salah and Alisson to release the ball quickly and take full advantage of Fulham who had switched off after a disallowed goal.
Liverpool lead 1-0.
SECOND HALF: Liverpool 1 - 0 Fulham
Liverpool restart the match, they haven't lost in the Premier League this season and it looks unlikely that will change today.
48 mins: Liverpool 1 - 0 Fulham
Salah tries to gets past Le Marchand and brings him down. Fulham hit the free kick forward but Gomez wins the header and Liverpool break with Robertson. The ball comes to Shaqiri and he goes down after a challenge from Chambers.
51 mins: Liverpool 1 - 0 Fulham
Gomez brings down Mitrovic to stop Fulham breaking and gives away a free kick. The visitors take it quickly and try to work the ball down the right. Robertson gets it clear and switches it to Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool move forward quickly and Mane gets the ball before forcing Rico into a save.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments