Liverpool 2-0 Fulham – Goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah help Arne Slot's side tighten grip on a Champions League place

Liverpool returned to winning ways this afternoon, beating Fulham 2-0 thanks to goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah, denting the Londoners' ambitions of European football.

Arne Slot’s side started the match on the front foot, dominating possession and looking to get on top early at Anfield, while Fulham struggled to impose themselves on the game.

After an opening 30 minutes that lacked any real quality in the final third, it was a moment of magic from Ngumoha which ultimately broke the deadlock. The 17-year-old received the ball on the left-hand side, cut in onto his favoured right foot, threw in a couple of step-overs to gain a yard before curling a sublime effort into the far corner past Bernd Leno.

The goal made him Liverpool’s youngest ever Premier League goalscorer at Anfield (17 years and 225 days old), surpassing Raheem Sterling’s previous record (17 years and 317 days old v Reading in October 2012).

Liverpool had a second just five minutes thanks to Salah, with the Egyptian netting what was his first Premier League goal at Anfield since November 2025. Cody Gakpo did well to bring down a Ngumoha cross in the penalty area before poking the ball into the path of Salah, who rifled home a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

The Anfield crowd responded to what they were seeing on the pitch, getting behind their players and willing them on.

Marco Silva made a double change at the break, introducing Emile Smith-Rowe and Sasa Lukic as he looked to find a way back into this match.

And it was the Smith-Rowe who had the best chance for the Cottagers, when Ryan Sessegnon found him inside the penalty area with a good ball, but the ex Arsenal man could only fire his effort wide of the post 20 minutes from time.

Fulham continued to put pressure on Liverpool, all without really troubling Giorgi Mamardashvilli. Raul Jimenez had a half-chance with just five minutes to go, firing a low effort from outside the box which whistled past the post.

A win for Fulham would have taken them level with European hopefuls Brentford and Everton, but it wasn't to be for the West London side.

For Liverpool, it's a much-needed victory which takes them to 52 points in fifth, four points clear of Chelsea, who take on Manchester City tomorrow at 16:30.

Liverpool 2-0 Fulham

Arne Slot's side run out 2-0 winners at Anfield against Fulham thanks to goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah. It's a result which takes Liverpool to 52 points in fifth, four points clear of Chelsea in sixth.

There will be a minimum of four additional minutes added on at the end of this one.

Trey Nyoni is on for Mohamed Salah.

Another huge chance for Fulham! The ball falls to Jimenez on the edge of the box who snatches at it and it flies wide of the post.

As Fulham push forward in search of a goal, they are leaving big gaps at the back that Liverpool are trying to exploit. A big next 10 minutes ahead for both sides.

The ball falls to Alexis Mac Allister who blasts his effort wide of the post.

Raul Jimenez is on for Muniz, Chukwueze is on for Wilson.

The ball is sent in by Sessegnon from the left-hand side to Smith-Rowe near the penalty spot but he fires his effort just wide of the post! That would have made for a very different ending to the match had that gone in!

Mo Salah plays a fantastic through ball into Gakpo who opens his body up to try and find the bottom corner but his shot is blocked and out for a corner.

Ryan Sessegnon is on for Antonee Robinson.

Alexis Mac Allister, Joe Gomez and Alexander Isak are all on for Rio Ngumoha, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.

Marco Silva's men win the corner as they look to try and force a way back into this one.

Liverpool look really up for scoring a few more here. Frimpong is flying down the right-hand side and getting crosses into the box and Rio Ngumoha is causing havoc on the left-hand side.

The ball is sent in by Rio Ngumoha to the back post where Florian Wirtz is waiting but he blazes his effort well over the crossbar.

The ball is sent into the box from Frimpong into Gakpo who can't bring it down and fashion a chance and Bassey is able to clear it away.

Both sides have made changes at half time. Emile Smith-Rowe and Sasa Lukic are on for Josh King and Oscar Bobb for Fulham, whilst Ryan Gravenberch replaces the injured Curtis Jones for Liverpool.

The second half is underway at Anfield.

Aged 17 years and 225 days, Rio Ngumoha is Liverpool's youngest Premier League goalscorer at Anfield, breaking Raheem Sterling's record (17y 317d v Reading in Oct 2012).