At the end of a stormy week for Arne Slot there was respite in the form of a morale-boosting display from Rio Ngumoha. Liverpool’s 17-year-old winger marked his second start in the Premier League with a goal and a key part in the second for Mohamed Salah as the faltering champions recorded a first league win since February.
Liverpool appeared vulnerable after painful cup quarter-final defeats at Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, but Fulham never put that theory to the test. They were passive throughout as Liverpool, found the energy and finishing to reach the landmark of 1,500 league wins at Anfield. It was their second win in six league games after a Champions League away fixture this season and should repair confidence before a daunting assignment against PSG on Tuesday.
There were no flags on display on the Kop as part of protests against Liverpool’s decision to increase most ticket prices for the next three seasons by the rate of inflation. The removal of imagery the club and broadcasters love to promote, along with a completely flat atmosphere, were pointed demonstrations of what could happen to Anfield should Liverpool drive their traditional fanbase away in favour of the tourist economy. One banner reading ‘No to ticket prices increases’ was paraded along the front of the Kop in the 14th minute, followed by a chant that bluntly told Liverpool’s owners where to stick their price rises.
