LIVERPOOL MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RECORD WITH COMFORTABLE WIN

Liverpool have regained top position, albeit for a short period, in the Premier League as they comfortably beat Fulham 2-0 at a sunny Anfield.

Mohamed Salah's controversial first-half goal was added to by Xherdan Shaqiri in the second-half to conclude the scoring for Liverpool.

The Egyptian's sixth Premier League goal of the season was a counter-attack goal and was perhaps a tad fortunate for Liverpool, as Fulham scored, what looked a perfectly fine goal just 14 seconds before, but it was deemed offside.

Liverpool move to the summit of the Premier League, but Chelsea and Manchester City are still to play later today.

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HOW IT HAPPENED -

Liverpool came into this match as huge favourites, and the Reds were the side doing the pressing early on.

Fulham's defensive record this season is poor, so many were expecting Jurgen Klopp's men to carve the Cottagers apart at Anfield.

However, Slaviska Jokanovic's team were defending well in the first-half, reducing Liverpool to very little chances in the opening 45 minutes.

Fulham thought they scored when Aleksandar Mitrovic headed past Alisson; but the Serbian striker was flagged offside - with replays showing that Mitrovic was just being played onside by the back leg of Andy Robertson.

With Fulham thinking they had scored; Liverpool raced up the other end starting from Alisson who released Trent Alexander-Arnold, who beautifully teed up Salah and it was 1-0.

Incredibly, there were only 14 seconds between Mitrovic's offside goal and Salah putting Liverpool ahead.

The Reds played far from their best in the first-half; but led at the half-time break against a Fulham side who should've been proud of their performance in the opening 45 minutes.

Source: BBC Sport

Early in the second-half, Andy Robertson's fine cross was met by the left foot of Shaqiri, who guided it past an impressive Sergio Rico with an excellent volley.

Shaqiri was shining for Liverpool, as he has been in recent weeks; perhaps their best player today.

Sadio Mane had a powerful effort tipped over the bar by Rico and the 'keeper also kept out Robertson's effort on the left-hand side.

Fulham failed to threaten Liverpool in the second-half, and it ended up being relatively routine for the Reds.

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STAT OF THE MATCH -

- Mohamed Salah has now scored against 19 of the 21 Premier League opponents he has faced. Manchester United and Swansea City are the only teams the Egyptian has failed to net against.

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THE MANAGERS' REACTION -

Liverpool boss Klopp admitted his shock when he saw Fulham's line-up and how defensive it was.

"In a few moments it was tougher and in a few moments it was not so tough. That's how it is," the Liverpool manager explained.

"When we saw the line-up; we were obviously a bit surprised - how could we prepare for that line-up?

"It was like the first time in the season I think that they have played like this, with four or five centre-halves. It was clear then what their approach would be."

Fulham manager Jokanovic was left with angry emotions following the controversial decision to rule Mitrovic's header out for offside.

"I watched the clips and Robertson definitely didn't squeeze up enough," Jokanovic claimed.

"My players are onside and scored the goal. Is the ball rolling? Probably, yes. It was a crucial moment and we went from being one goal up to one down."