Full TimePosted at 90’+5′ Second Half ends, Liverpool 1, Fulham 0.Post updateAttempt missed. Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ademola Lookman.Post updateAttempt saved. Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ademola Lookman.Post updateAttempt saved. Carlos Vinícius (Fulham) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Ademola Lookman with a cross.Post updateAttempt saved. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Georginio Wijnaldum.Post updateAttempt saved. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Georginio Wijnaldum.Post updateAttempt saved. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Georginio Wijnaldum.
Despite Liverpool’s fifth consecutive win, Jurgen Klopp believes their chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are not realistic. The Reds moved four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United after Mohamed Salah’s penalty sunk Fulham at Anfield, but United have two games in hand on fifth-placed Liverpool – including one at eighth-placed Brighton on Thursday – kick-off 20:00 BST. Only leaders Manchester City have taken more points from the last six matches than Liverpool, but Klopp played down his side’s chances of sneaking into the top four.
Salah scored for the eighth home game in a row as Liverpool maintained their flourishing late-season form, beating Bernd Leno from the penalty spot in the 39th-minute after Darwin Nunez was fouled by Issa Diop. Liverpool created a string of chances but were unable to add to their lead before Fulham threatened after half-time, and it required an outstanding one-handed save by Liverpool’s Brazil keeper Alisson in the 77th-minute to keep out countryman Carlos Vinicius.
Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz were in sparkling form, with Salah’s remarkable scoring form continuing – he is the first Liverpool player to score in eight consecutive home appearances since Luis Suarez did so between April 2013 and January 2014. Bobby De Cordova-Reid went close to equalising in the 94th-minute, but in the end Liverpool were able to celebrate another win and a first clean sheet win since putting seven past Manchester United on 5 March.
Despite defeat, Fulham remain on course for a first top-10 Premier League finish since 2011-12 and Harry Wilson was lively against his former club. However, it has been a difficult run of form for Marco Silva’s side, who have now lost eight of their past 10 matches in all competitions, winning the other two. Luis Diaz earned a standing ovation for his work in a move which saw Salah fire over the bar in the second-half and was awarded Player of the Match with an average rating of 7.27.