Liverpool 2-0 Fulham: 5 Talking points, Premier League 2018/19

Liverpool returned to winning ways after securing a comfortable 2-0 win against Fulham courtesy goals from Mohamed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Cottagers started the game in fine fashion as they look to block all passing channels which did not allow the home side to start off with their free-flowing brand of football. Fulham had a chance of their own in the 24th minute as Ryan Sessegnon saw his effort go wide off the post after Mitrovic had done well to put him through.

The visitors were further unlucky after Mitrovic's header was ruled offside by the linesman. Just 13 seconds after the restart, Trent Alexander-Arnold assisted Salah for the afternoon's opening goal.

Liverpool doubled their lead and secured all three points eight minutes after the restart as Andy Robertson's cross was well met by Shaqiri who scored against a hapless Sergio Rico. On that note, let us take a look at the five talking points from the game at Anfield.

#1 Liverpool have it easy against unlucky Fulham

Liverpool FC v Fulham FC - Premier League

After disappointing results against Arsenal and Red Star Belgrade, Jurgen Klopp's men looked to return to winning ways against bottom of the league Fulham. The hosts did so in fine fashion after securing a comfortable 2-0 win against Fulham via goals from Salah and Shaqiri.

The visitors proved to be stubborn opposition in the opening exchanges as their midfield looked to cut off any avenues for Liverpool's forwards to exploit. Liverpool, on the other hand, also squandered some chances to open the scoring through Mane and Salah in the 4th and 16th minute respectively.

Jurgen Klopp's men nearly fell behind in the 24th minute after Sessegnon saw his effort go agonisingly wide after Mitrovic put him through fending off Van Dijk's challenge. Liverpool were fortunate enough and took the lead in the 41st minute, seconds after Mitrovic's headed goal was controversially ruled out.

Shaqiri helped double Liverpool's lead and from there on, it was a stroll in the park for The Reds as Fulham failed to create clear-cut chances to find their way back into the game as Liverpool secured their ninth win of the season.

#2 Fulham made to rue their luck and missed chances at Anfield

Over the course of this season, Fulham have suffered some demoralising defeats at the hands of Huddersfield, Arsenal and Cardiff City. They travelled to Anfield to upset an in-form Liverpool team who looked to return to winning ways after dropping points last weekend at the Emirates.

Fulham could have and should have taken the league against the hosts after Sessegnon failed to convert from close range and Mitrovic's header being ruled out controversially as replays showed the Serbian being played onside by Robertson. Seconds after the ball ended at the back of Liverpool's goal, Fulham fell behind through Salah's composed finish.

Most of the Fulham players were caught napping and this naivety was punished by a ruthless Liverpool side who looked to secure the three points. Furthermore, they found themselves 0-2 down after the 53rd minute as some more slack defending by the likes of Anguissa, Odoi was punished by Shaqiri. For the rest of the game, Fulham looked abject and made work easy for the hosts.

The Cottagers could have been 2 up in the first half and gained something out of this game had they taken their chances and had luck by their side. Defeat to Liverpool saw the visitors placed bottom of the pile, who already face a herculean task to climb up the table.

#3 Shaqiri brings back the spark Liverpool missed in the past few games

The Reds have often been criticized for being too pragmatic in their approach this season and have also bemoaned the lack of a genuine playmaker in their squad. Jurgen Klopp has a very useful player in Xherdan Shaqiri who can play anywhere across the front three and also operate from midfield.

Klopp revamped the midfield that took to field against Red Star on Tuesday night with Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho replacing James Milner and Adam Lallana. Shaqiri looked lively from the first minute as the former Basel man found pockets of space in a jam-packed opposition half and made some smart movements to draw the opposition players out of position.

Shaqiri acted as the perfect link between the midfield and the forward line and linked up well with the likes of Mane, Salah and Firmino to split open a stubborn Fulham defence. His efforts were rewarded with a well-taken goal as he latched on to Andy Robertson's cross in the 53rd minute after losing his markers, Anguissa and Odoi.

In Shaqiri, Liverpool might as well have the creative outlet which they have needed the injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

#4 9th league defeat in 12 games for Fulham! What next?

Fulham seem to found themselves in a spot of bother as The Cottagers languish at the foot of the table after Matchday 12. Despite spending enormous sums of money on signings like Vietto, Schurrle and Seri, Fulham have failed to make their mark in the Premier League.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side suffered demoralising losses to Arsenal, Huddersfield and Cardiff City and don't look like surviving in the Premier League if the current run of form continues. The answer to their ongoing players can be attributed to preferring quantity over quality and not having enough time to integrate their summer signings.

Fulham have to remain focused and look to get a result against fellow strugglers Southampton. They also have some tough away fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United and must find a way to secure something out of these fixtures.

Things look tough for Fulham at the moment, but the London-based club have the required talent to upset the Premier League's big boys.

#5 Full backs impress in a routine win against Fulham

After enduring tough outings against Arsenal and Red Star Belgrade, Liverpool's full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold put in a brilliant shift against Fulham.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has often been criticized for ignoring his defensive responsibilities, started off slowly but got into his groove as the game progressed. The English International was initially sloppy in possession but grew in stature as the game progressed and balanced his offensive and defensive responsibilities, forming a formidable partnership with Joe Gomez.

He assisted Salah's goal four minutes from half-time and also kept the likes of Sessegnon and Le Marchand quiet during the game. The Right Back successfully completed 4 long balls, 2 key passes, winning 2 aerial duels and making 2 interceptions.

Meanwhile, Andy Robertson put in a Man of the Match performances and assisted Shaqiri for his second goal in red, with a brilliant left-footed cross. Robertson was solid defensively which resulted in Schurrle having no joy down the left.

Robertson finished the game with a pass success rate of 87% and made three interceptions over the 90 minutes.

Edited by Amar Anand