Liverpool are looking to end their three-match losing streak and have made the perfect start against Fulham in the Premier League at Anfield leading 2-0 at halftime.
Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah have got on the scoresheet, and that has helped Arne Slot’s side race to a 2-0 lead at home. The Reds have dominated the game and could have scored more, but the Cottagers have done well to keep the scoreline respectable.
The young winger opened the scoring in the 36th minute, making Timothy Castagne and Joachim Andersen dance in front of him inside the box, before curling the ball at the far post.
On the opposite flank. Liverpool’s experienced winger did the same four minutes later, curling the ball past the Fulham goalkeeper and making it 2-0 in the 40th minute.
Here are the ReadLiverpoolFC half-time ratings, as Slot side lead at home:
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 7
The goalkeeper had very little to do in the first 25 minutes of the game, with just one punch away from a Fulham corner that really needed him to break a sweat. Two easy saves followed up around the half-hour mark, and that was pretty much it for the Georgian.
Jeremie Frimpong – 7.5
The Dutchman was a key part of the attack in the opening minutes and was linking up well with Mohamed Salah. His cutback put the ball in a dangerous position for the Reds, but noe of the midfielders were at the end of the box for it.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
The Dutchman had very little to do in the defensive third and was more involved in rotating the ball. He was linking up with Konate and Robertson, while most of his passes came inside the Liverpool half.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Hardly involved in the game today and was around the halfway line waiting for a pass from Van Dijk. Did not have to make a single tackle in the first 45 and won 50% of his duels.
Andy Robertson – 6.5
Had a golden chance to score from a Frimpong cutback, but was caught off guard and in two minds. His shot was blocked, while passes were a big iffy today, as most of his forward passes were being intercepted.
Curtis Jones – 7
Decent half, but it would be a surprise if he comes on for the second half. The Englishman was receiving treatment just before the half-time whistle, and it looks like an issue with his groin area.
Hardly put a foot wrong in the 45 minutes and misplaced just one pass. He controlled the flow of the game as expected and did not drift forward unnecessarily.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
The Hungarian was all over the pitch and was doing everything he can to help out the attackers and defenders. He did not get a goal or an assist, but was a key figure on the pitch as the Reds took the 2-0 lead.
Mohamed Salah – 9
Salah had an quiet start to the game, but produced the first shot on target, which was dealt with by Bernd Leno. He tried a lot to set the ball up for Frimpong and Gakpo to score, but they failed to capitalize on many of their opportunities.
Salah got on the scoreboard five minutes before the halftime whistle, after Gakpo found him unmarked at the end of the six-yard box on the right. The Egyptian king made no mistake and curled it past Leno’s right. His first Premier League goal at Anfield since November 1st.
Florian Wirtz – 8
His positioning and runs were crucial for all Liverpool attacks today. He got the all-important assist for the first goal, but it will unfortunately not be remembered for long as the finish took the limelight. He too finished the half strongly with just one misplaced pass out of his 31 attempts.
Rio Ngumoha – 9
Started off well and showed all his trickery in the opening minutes. He wanted a penalty after a coming together with Oscar Bobb, but referee Anthony Taylor ruled in favor of the Fulham man, claiming that the teenager was already on his way down before contact was made.
Scored a stunning goal in the 36th minute after making the Fulham defenders dance in front of him. His first goal at Anfield will be a finish not many will forget for years to come.
Cody Gakpo – 6
The Dutch forward was hardly involved in the game, and it was all about Ngumoha and Salah in attack. He got an assist in the end, but that was the only time he was needed on the ball.
In the opening 25 minutes, the most movement around the Liverpool box was the fans walking around with the ‘No to ticket price increases’ banner behind the goal. However, Fulham did manage to come forward often after the half hour mark, but failed to do anything from it.
