Mohamed Salah on target as Liverpool ease pressure with win over Fulham

By Andy Hampson, Press Association

Mohamed Salah scored as Liverpool bought under-fire manager Arne Slot some breathing space with a 2-0 win over Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.

It was the Egyptian’s first goal since announcing he is to leave the club this summer and came moments after teenager Rio Ngumoha had set the Reds up for three much-needed Premier League points.

Slot’s side had won just two of their previous eight games in all competitions and, after being outplayed by Manchester City and Paris St Germain in the past week, the Dutchman is under considerable pressure.

He faces a battle to win over the doubters but, with a result that bolsters top-five hopes, he at least earned some respite ahead of Tuesday’s challenging Champions League return against PSG.

The atmosphere was subdued, partly due to the home side’s indifferent form and partly because of a protest against ticket price rises, for which there were also few of the usual flags and banners on the Kop.

Liverpool were helped in the first half by a rusty Fulham, who were playing for the first time in three weeks and struggled to get going.

Andy Robertson – making his first appearance since announcing his departure – had a shot blocked before Salah saw an effort turned behind for a corner and Cody Gakpo drilled wide. Ngumoha had a penalty appeal turned down after a challenge from Oscar Bobb.

Fulham did not create an opportunity until the 29th minute when Alex Iwobi shot at Giorgi Mamardashvili but the keeper saved again from Bobb soon after.

Former Liverpool midfielder Harry Wilson also curled over but Ngumoha and Salah struck in quick succession to put the hosts in control.

Florian Wirtz’s driving run led to the 36th-minute opener, finished brilliantly by Ngumoha, who wrong-footed Timothy Castagne before curling low into the far corner.

It was the 17-year-old’s first goal since his dramatic late winner at Newcastle in August, when the mood at the club was completely different.

Ngumoha was involved again as Liverpool doubled their lead four minutes later, this time picking out Gakpo, who controlled and laid off for Salah to clip home across goal.

After netting 29 in last season’s title-winning campaign, it was only the Egyptian’s sixth Premier League goal of the season.

Fulham started the second half strongly but Sasa Lukic had a goal ruled out for offside, Rodrigo Muniz failed to make the most of a free header and Emile Smith Rowe missed the target.

At the other end, Gakpo spurned two chances to put Liverpool 3-0 up and substitute Alexis Mac Allister thrashed wide.

Raul Jimenez went close as Fulham threatened a nervy finish but Liverpool held on.