Liverpool snapped their three-match losing streak in all competitions with a 2-0 victory over Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.
The first goal was scored in the 36th minute when Rio Ngumoha received a pass from Florian Wirtz, evaded Timothy Castagne, and expertly curled the ball into the far corner.
A glimpse of Liverpool’s bright future was soon followed by a familiar sight as Mohamed Salah finished a well-executed move just four minutes later, extending the home side’s lead.
The second half lacked the excitement of the first, but Liverpool’s victory assures they will remain in fifth place in the Premier League standings this weekend, now just two points behind Aston Villa.
Positives
The standout positive was clearly Ngumoha, whose vibrant performance provided the spark Liverpool needed to score. It will be intriguing to see if the 17-year-old’s impressive display earns him a starting spot in the upcoming match against Paris Saint-Germain.
The team maintained control of possession for much of the first half and appeared composed. Even though their second-half performance wasn’t as strong, Giorgi Mamardashvili was largely untroubled.
Negatives
Considering the Reds’ dominance, they could have been more effective in testing Bernd Leno prior to Ngumoha’s goal. Fulham had a few opportunities they could have capitalized on, with Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, and Emile Smith Rowe all missing clear chances. It was also unfortunate to see Curtis Jones exit due to injury at halftime.
Manager rating (1-10; 10 = best)
Arne Slot, 8 — Slot’s decision to start Ngumoha was instrumental, and his team displayed control for significant portions of the match, although he will likely be disappointed with their performance in the latter stages.
Player ratings
GK Giorgi Mamardashvili, 6 — Handled routine saves effectively and managed to deflect a shot from Josh King.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 —Commanded the defense well, successfully clearing a risky free-kick, and made vital interceptions.
DF Ibrahima Konaté, 7 —Was largely solid defensively and dealt effectively with threats from Fulham.
DF Andrew Robertson, 7 —In his first match since announcing his departure at season’s end, he threatened going forward but had some shots blocked.
DF Jeremie Frimpong, 8 — Provided offensive depth and quality crosses, showcasing grit in maintaining possession against Antonee Robinson.
MF Dominik Szoboszlai, 8 — Gave a blend of energy and skill but had a shot blocked after initiating an attack and delivered a challenging corner for Leno.
MF Curtis Jones, 7 —Performed well in midfield, disrupting play until he was forced off with an injury at half time.
FW Florian Wirtz, 7 — Made key passes in build-up play for Liverpool’s goals but could have maintained more composure with his shot choices.
FW Rio Ngumoha, 9 — Displayed remarkable courage and skill, maneuvering around Timothy Castagne to score his first goal at Anfield. He also played a crucial role in the build-up to Salah’s goal.
FW Mohamed Salah, 8 — Had a couple of attempts saved or blocked before finding the net with a well-placed shot. He left the pitch to applause following an effective performance.
FW Cody Gakpo, 7 — Struggled to find the target but played a pivotal role in the lead-up to Salah’s second goal with a well-timed layoff. He’ll likely feel he could have made more of Frimpong’s delivery.
Substitutes (players who came on after 70 minutes = no rating)
Ryan Gravenberch (Jones, 45′), 6 — Executed simple tasks effectively and provided support defensively at times, despite one panic-induced clearance.
Alexis Mac Allister (Wirtz, 69′), 6 — Came close with a shot from a promising position that narrowly missed the post.
Alexander Isak (Ngumoha, 69′), 6 — Had opportunities to make an impact, though a couple of passes slipped by him, but worked hard for the team.
Joe Gomez (Frimpong, 69′), 4 — Struggled defensively and needed support from Van Dijk after a careless pass; he also made several poor tackles.