Ngumoha and Salah on target as Liverpool ease past Fulham at Anfield
Liverpool returned to winning ways on Saturday lunchtime, beating Fulham 2-0 at Anfield thanks to a quick-fire double from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah in the first half. It was a controlled, professional performance from Arne Slot's side after a week they would rather forget.
Ngumoha opens the scoring at Anfield
Salah, restored to the starting lineup after being dropped for the 2-0 Champions League quarterfinal first-leg defeat at PSG in midweek, was involved from the off. But it was 17-year-old Ngumoha who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, picking up where he left off after his record-breaking debut goal against Newcastle in August.
Four minutes later, Salah doubled the lead. Cody Gakpo collected a loose ball inside the area and laid it across for Salah, who curled a trademark finish inside the far post. It was a vintage Salah finish, the kind Liverpool have relied on all season.
Comfortable second half for Slot's side
Liverpool controlled possession throughout, finishing with over 60 per cent of the ball. Fulham, who arrived at Anfield still harbouring European ambitions of their own from 12th place, struggled to create clear-cut chances. The visitors managed just four shots on target all afternoon, and Liverpool's backline was rarely troubled after the break.
The win comes as a relief for Liverpool, whose confidence had taken a dent after the 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City on April 4 and the PSG loss in midweek. With the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against PSG still to come, Slot will hope this result steadies the ship.
Ngumoha's growing influence
At 17, Ngumoha has already become Liverpool's youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer, a record he set with his dramatic stoppage-time winner at Newcastle in August. His goal against Fulham was his first at Anfield, and the teenager's direct running and willingness to take on defenders suggest Slot will keep finding minutes for him between now and May.
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