Arne Slot finds winning formula as Liverpool fans make feelings clear - 5 talking points vs Fulham

Liverpool earned a boost in the race for the Champions League places by beating Fulham. This is what we spotted as Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah scored at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones celebrate during Liverpool vs Fulham.(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool moved four points ahead of Chelsea in the race to qualify for the Champions League next season, with Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah both on the scoresheet.

Goals from the wing duo put Liverpool in a commanding position in the first half, with Arne Slot's side playing well. This was the best they have produced in two months domestically, with a reaction from the meek showing against PSG a necessity.

Fulham threatened a little in the second half and Arne Slot's side had to defend well, but it was more than deserving of the points. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.

Rio Ngumoha stands out

Rio Ngumoha, making his second Premier League start of the season, made a big impression. He dribbled as well as he always does, and his curled finish for his goal was superb.

On the opposite flank, Mohamed Salah, who didn't play a minute in the Champions League midweek, was back in the team. He too looked lively and refreshed, and having them on either side of him aided Florian Wirtz too.

Is this a formula that could be replicated against PSG and beyond? That might be a stretch. For one thing, Ngumoha's minutes are being carefully managed for a reason: his long-term sustainability.

Rio Ngumoha opened the scoring for Liverpool against Fulham.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

With so much on the line before the season comes to an end, though, Slot has a big call to make. What's the point in saving Ngumoha for the future if Liverpool misses out on the Champions League and faces a major setback?

With Hugo Ekitike coming back in up top, this might be the way forward. Ngumoha clearly has a big role to play in the next month or so, whether that is from the start or off the bench.

Arne Slot moves pay off

Arne Slot had yet to beat Fulham before today, drawing twice and losing once. Just like with Nottingham Forest, though, another bogey team, he has ended that duck.

Midweek, he spoke about being in "survival mode" against PSG — we'll see how much was actually spared in Europe on Tuesday in the return leg — but this was all about the attack looking considerably better.

"Some of them just have to play again because I'm out of options in those positions," Slot told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off when asked to explain his team selection.

By hook or by crook, it worked. Salah and Ngumoha, as mentioned, looked rejuvenated. Even Jeremie Frimpong, who has struggled with playing more than one game per week this season, played with a spring in his step until he was replaced by Joe Gomez.

(Image: Getty Images)

Fans make feelings clear with ticket price protests

In the first game since ticket prices were increased, fans made their feelings known with the "Not a pound in the ground" campaign. Stickers reading "Listen to us John" were handed out, pleading with FSG chief J.W. Henry to change his stance.

"No to ticket price increases," read a banner brought out in front of The Kop in the first half, accompanied with various chants directed at those who have made the decision.

What happens next on that front remains to be seen, but the atmosphere inside Anfield for the game in general was good. The Kop backed its players, and they delivered a performance worth clapping for, particularly first half.

Had Liverpool lost a fourth successive match on the bounce, you would have feared for the animosity. Instead, the Reds on the field battled and created chances, giving those in the stands something to get behind.

After surrendering against PSG with the way that Slot set up — so defensive and clearly hoping simply to limit the damage — this was a welcome change.

Curtis Jones setback

Ryan Gravenberch started 37 of the 38 league games that Liverpool played last season and had only missed out on two starting XIs before this one. On this occasion, both he and Alexis Mac Allister were taken out.

In the case of the Argentine, in particular, he can hardly argue. Mac Allister has been poor lately, and Curtis Jones did well enough at Manchester City last weekend — albeit on a bad day for the Reds — to deserve another chance.

Unfortunately for Jones, just when he was given another opportunity, he limped off at half-time and didn't reappear. It has been the story of his senior career, really: just when he looks to be getting going, he suffers a setback.

Curtis Jones was replaced at half-time in Liverpool's game against Fulham

Andy Robertson, one of the other changes to the Liverpool starting XI, deserves a mention too. In the first game after he confirmed he would be leaving this summer, The Kop sang his name before kick, during and after the game and he ran and ran.

Liverpool will miss his leadership, not least with Salah leaving at the same time, but the player remains very gifted too. Robertson will get a good move in the summer, and he is clearly still capable of playing at the top level, something he reminded everyone of here.

Champions League boost

There wasn't much in the way of good news for Liverpool in Europe this week, but Arne Slot's men do at least know now that fifth spot will definitely be enough to get into the Champions League.

Will they be good enough, though? That is a much more pressing question. Fifth was always likely to be sufficient for qualification to UEFA's premier event. Liverpool, however, has not often looked convincing in recent months.

Here, it showed a level of performance it hasn't had domestically for two months. The PSG tie, with the second leg on Tuesday, is likely over, but it appears that the Reds could be well-positioned in the only other thing they have left to play for: fifth. This was much-improved, still with even more work to do.