Scott Parker said there was “a lot of emotion” after his Fulham side secured a crucial win to give their survival hopes a huge boost and continue Liverpool’s incredible slump.
Mario Lemina’s goal on the stroke of half-time, after the Gabon midfielder had dispossessed Mohamed Salah, inflicted a sixth successive Premier League home defeat on the Reds and saw Parker’s side draw level on 26 points with 17th-placed Brighton.
A tidy way to get off the mark! 👌@LeminaM_13 made sure this one hit the net. 🧪#LIVFUL
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) March 7, 2021
The Reds, who won the title last season by 18 points, had gone 68 home league matches unbeaten before their current run started with a loss to Burnley in January.
Since then they have also lost on home soil to Brighton, Manchester City, Everton, Chelsea and now Fulham.
“It’s a big win. There’s a lot of emotion and I am very proud,” said Parker. “I am happy for the players and the team because they got nothing short of what they deserved. There was a resilience and real attitude to keep the ball out of the net and defend.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made seven changes following the defeat to Chelsea in attempt to freshen things up, but Fulham were the better side and carved out four chances in the opening half an hour alone.
Ademola Lookman, who was given the freedom of Anfield, twice got behind the inexperienced Reds defence but could not finish while Josh Maja was denied by a brave save by Alisson.
The winner came after Liverpool thought they had cleared a free-kick but Salah was caught on the ball by Lemina who produced an arrowed finish, his first goal since joining on loan from Southampton.
Diogo Jota, making his first start since 28 November, was denied an equaliser by an acrobatic save from Alphonse Areola early in the second half before substitute Sadio Mane hit the post with a looping header.
But Liverpool were poor and have now failed to win their last eight home games.
