Liverpool see off Fulham as Rio Ngumoha inspires timely win - 5 talking points

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Liverpool put a difficult week behind them as they saw off Fulham to put some daylight between them and the sides chasing the Champions League spots.

Rio Ngumoha took centre stage and the teenager again justified his minutes as he came up with the opening goal. The winger producing a stunning finish from the left as he bent the ball past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Mohamed Salah scored a first Premier League goal for over a month as he lapped up the Anfield applause once again. His struggles have been well publicised but he did his best to ensure he wouldn't be showed up by his younger team-mate.

The visitors were not without their chances and found themselves in good positions when the game was still goalless, but failed to take their opportunities. Oscar Bobb forced a decent save out of Giorgi Mamardashvili, but the hosts would soon take control with their quick fire double before the break.

The game was played amid the backdrop of a protest in the Kop. The home fans unhappy and they produced a long banner reading: "No to ticket price increases". It was followed by applause all around Anfield and a chant that was not overly complimentary of the Liverpool's owners.

The home side had done the ground work in the first-half and, despite having chances, failed to extend their lead. Fulham threatened to set-up a grandstand finish but Emile Smith Rowe saw an effort go narrowly wide.

Liverpool did welcome back Alexander Isak after months out injured as the Swede looks to find the form he showed so regularly at Newcastle. Here's five talking points from Anfield.

From Ngumoha's stoppage time strike at Newcastle , his impressive outing against Wolves in the FA Cup and now to a stellar display against Fulham. The teenager is becoming impossible to ignore and he continues to turn out performance after performance whenever he's given a shot.

The wealth of attacking talent at Anfield means a number of household and expensive names need to be overlooked before Ngumoha can be named as a starter. But reputation aside the 17-year-old is certainly the coming man and some established names are going to have to be ushered aside if Liverpool are to give Ngumoha the minutes he's more than justifying.

Given the Reds had been hammered by Manchester City a week ago and were then outclassed by PSG in midweek, a game against an upwardly mobile Fulham side had all the hallmarks of a Saturday night that could go very wrong.

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The west Londoners have been impressive for the majority of Silva's tenure and posed a threat, but when the Reds went in at half-time leading by two they were in the ideal position to land a much needed three points. Their form has raised serious questions over the future of Slot, who may well face an inquest come the summer, but he could take control of his own destiny by delivering a Champions League finish, which he's on course to do.

There was a fear that Salah's farewell tour could turn into a nightmare, especially if he spent more time on the bench than on the pitch. Even though his departure has been confirmed and his form has by no means justified a regular role his omission still grabs the headlines.

The Egyptian was left on the bench all night in Paris in midweek as Liverpool were well beaten. So reprising his role in the starting XI coupled with a trademark Salah goal made for a good evening's work. The forward sweeping home with his left foot, the type of goal we've seen time and time again during his time on Merseyside.

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Fulham left Anfield pointless, but remain just four points off Chelsea in sixth, which is set to be good enough for Europa League qualification. Fulham are down in 11th, which underlines how many clubs are sat waiting for a mistake from those above them.

Bournemouth , who downed Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime, and Brentford are among the teams impressing and eyeing up a spot in Europe. Everton too are waiting in the wings and could cap a sensational debut season at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium. But it is all conditioned on a slip from Liverpool or Chelsea - the Reds ensured they wouldn't open the door, but the latter face Manchester City on Sunday.

In the week where he's announced his departure the Scottish left-back proved that father time is not about to stop him anytime soon. Andy Robertson has been a stalwart at Anfield for years with his role only reducing this season following some new arrivals.

Robertson has remained the perfect professional, turning down a January move away and making little noise about his obvious frustration. And yet whenever he's been called upon he looks like he's not missed a beat, which was the case once again on Saturday. He may not have been a regular, but every time Robertson plays you're left thinking 'he'll be missed'.

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