Liverpool continued their recent resurgence as they secured a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham at Anfield.
After what has been an inconsistent and difficult season, Liverpool came into this evening’s game having won their last four games in all competitions to maintain their slim hopes of securing Champions League football next season.
The Merseyside side dominated possession of the ball, though it was still a relatively even contest, with Fulham looking happy to sit back and hit on the counter through Harry Wilson and Wilian.
Liverpool would, however, be gift-wrapped the chance to take the lead eight minutes before the break, Issa Diop allowing Darwin Nunez to close him down and pinch the ball, before the defender’s follow-through was judged to have brought the Uruguayan down in the box. Mohamed Salah has missed four of his last 12 penalties, though the Egyptian made no mistake this time as he slammed his spot kick down the middle.
The second half went in a similar pattern to the first, with Liverpool dominating possession but with very few clear-cut chances, though Reds’ keeper Alisson did deny Vinicius at his near post one of the biggest opportunities after the interval, while Jordan Henderson sent a long-range effort narrowly wide.
The result moves Liverpool just four points off the top four places, though Manchester United do have two games in hand, and speaking afterwards, Jurgen Klopp said he was delighted with the victory.
“Very happy,” he told Premier League Productions. “Super strong opponent. I can’t respect any more what Marco [Silva] is doing there.
Liverpool 1-0 Fulham
Five Premier League wins in a row for Liverpool. Seven defeats in their last nine in the league for Fulham.
Mo Salah's penalty enough to earn the Reds three points. pic.twitter.com/zsaw4o6APd
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) May 3, 2023
“I thought we controlled big parts of the game in the first half but in the second half it opened up. A really good team. It was tricky until the end. Five games in a row is good. I liked it a lot.
“They had a big chance so could have scored. We had moments in the first half we should have scored. That’s how it is. You have to create.
“I saw big fight, really good spirit and the boys who came on were flying into the challenges. Of course we can control the game in these moments better but we can improve. We have played much worse in the past.
“Alisson was close to crying with a clean sheet. It’s pretty rare for us this season! It’s very nice, especially for him.”
The win was Liverpool’s fifth on the bounce and means they are now unbeaten in seven, and Klopp said it was ‘super important’ to build momentum ahead of next season.
“Super important. That’s what I said. We have to try to do something we can use. Something we can build on in the next season. That’s exactly what we did and I’m pleased with that.”
