PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 1-0 FULHAM

Liverpool made it five successive league victories with a narrow win over Fulham tonight. Mohamed Salah’s first half penalty was the only goal in the end, despite both sides playing out an entertaining match under the lights at Anfield. Here are player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 9

Stayed big to produce a good save to parry Vinicius’ shot away from danger. Had to be alert to the backheel attempt by Palhinha. Cracking one on one save when his countryman was through on goal second half. He’s been making those crucial saves all season.

Alexander-Arnold – 9

First half he was having himself an absolute ball. Picked up possession in midfield and just ran rings around Palhinha at times (including a dazzling pirouette). Created chances for his teammates and went close to scoring himself when he curled a shot just past the post first half.

His defending in the second half was commendable as well, keeping Willian and then Solomon quiet. His assist streak ends but he was quality again tonight.

Konaté – 8

Fantastic challenge in the box to foil one attack first half. Then repeated the trick with a long legged one on Willian. He’s proven himself as an excellent foil for Van Dijk. Won some big headers late on. Only blot on his copybook was playing Vinicius onside for his first half chance.

Van Dijk – 8.5

Sublime piece of defending in the opening five minutes when he stretched on the slide to turn Wilson’s cross behind for a corner from virtually inside his own goal. Cut out another dangerous cross from Reid late on as well. Managed to apply enough pressure on Vinicius when he was through on goal first half and Reid for his late chance. Earned that clean sheet.

Tsimikas – 7

Started off rustily. Played Wilson onside and had Van Dijk to thank for bailing him out. He gave the ball away a few times as well but grew into it. Shepherded Vinicius well as the last man on one counter and did well to steer Robinson’s dangerous cross over his own bar second half. Put in a few tasty crosses. Not much else you could ask of a backup.

Fabinho – 7

Looked good when he had red shirts in close proximity. Looked slow and sluggish anytime they broke and he had a vast space to cover. Played well enough but always struggled when pressed. The side sorely lacked a cool head to get his foot on the ball and just see the game out late on.

Henderson – 7.5

Full of endeavour and he must be commended for it. Charged round the pitch (especially late on) pressing, harrying and disrupting any moves down the right. Not good enough on the ball in attacking areas however. He skied one shot after a lovely setup by Salah first half. He then went close with a disguised one second half, before seeing his attempted lob over Leno sail way over.

Jones – 6.5

Worked hard off the ball again. Played well first half. Was assured in possession and combined well with the forwards. Second half he started taking too long in possession and was caught once or twice, with Fulham breaking away dangerously from one such error. Took too long to take a shot and saw one promising attack break down. Still needs to refine his game, but that’s understandable at his age.

Salah – 7.5

Looked in the mood early on, with some brilliant pieces of control and dizzying dribbles. Ran Robinson ragged all night. Slammed home another penalty straight down the middle for what proved to be the only goal of the game. His passing was shocking however. Anytime he tried to pick a runner in behind, he either underhit or overhit it. So many promising attacks broke down because he couldn’t pick the final pass.

Darwin – 6

Started off well. Provided the side with an option of a pass in behind. Worked his socks off tonight. Won the penalty with some good pressing in the Fulham box. Second half he snatched at his one real chance of the game. Lost the ball on occasion, with his close control not as refined as some of his teammates. On a different wavelength at times.

Diaz – 7

Exciting to watch. Dribbled out of some incredibly tight spaces and managed to come out with the ball. Set up some really good chances. Screwed one shot wide early on. Had a few moments where he ran into a white shirt to thwart promising counter attacks.

Substitutes

Robertson – 6

Tried to inject a bit of pace and urgency down the left hand side. Put in a few crosses as well. Kept an eye on Kebano.

Gakpo – 5.5

Sent through on goal but a miscontrol sent him wide and Leno closed the angle down further, blocking the shot. Spun and run at the Fulham defence to win a free kick in a dangerous area. Should have done much better in keeping possession as the clock ticked down.

The ball couldn’t stick when it got to him and Fulham were able to pile on the pressure. Lashed one effort way over when he would have been better served bringing it down.

Milner – 6

Closed down Palhinha on a number of occasions and engaged him in a proper hard man duel.

Elliott – 7

Played on the right wing and showed such maturity to just slow down and keep the ball when the ball was won back late on. Had Klopp cheering wildly for winning a tackle on Solomon on the touchline. Exquisite ball in behind for Gakpo.

Jota – 5

Couldn’t complete a five yard pass to Robertson down the left wing, playing it straight out to add to the edginess around Anfield. No time to really impact the game, with the side hanging on at the end.

Jürgen Klopp

The manager made three changes to the side that turned over Tottenham on Sunday, with Tsimikas, Henderson and Darwin coming in for Robertson, Elliott and Gakpo. He watched his side play some wonderful stuff at times. They were well worth their lead at the break.

They hanged on a bit at the end but they got over the line, with all five substitutes used to try and see it out. It’s five wins on the trot now, a welcome reminder of what this side is capacity of when it’s playing to it’s potential.