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Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 28
May 3, 2023 at 8pm UK
Anfield
Fulham logo

Liverpool
1 - 0
Fulham

Salah (39' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)

Jurgen Klopp hails "sensational" Alisson save in Fulham victory

Jurgen Klopp hails
© Reuters
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lauds Alisson Becker for his "sensational" save in the Reds' 1-0 Premier League win over Fulham at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reserved special praise for goalkeeper Alisson Becker for his "sensational" late save in the Reds' 1-0 victory over Fulham at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah's penalty stretched Liverpool's winning run in the Premier League to five matches, as the Egyptian crashed his spot kick down the middle of the goal after Issa Diop felled Darwin Nunez.

However, the Reds had to survive a couple of scares to get over the line, as Alisson was forced into a full-stretch save to deny Carlos Vinicius picking out the top corner in the first half.

Marco Silva's side continued to make a game of it approaching the dying embers and had another gilt-edged chance through Vinicius, but the Brazilian's low effort was kept out by his compatriot down low.

Alisson's shut-out - his first since April's goalless draw with Chelsea - was his 99th clean sheet in a Liverpool jersey, and he was hailed as the Reds' most consistent performer by Klopp in his post-match press conference.

Liverpool's Alisson celebrates after Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta misses a penalty during the shoot-out in May 2022© Reuters

"We then don't close the game early and we have to fight until the end - and we needed Ali, obviously. The last situation I think it was a sensational save and he was really happy about the clean sheet more than anybody," Klopp said.

"He was really touched that we got a clean sheet tonight, it's that long ago. He kept a clean sheet for us, especially in that situation, there were a few others, but especially in that situation.

"So, yeah, he is for sure the most consistent player we have this season. That's actually not bad news, it's good news, because if we are not in a great shape and the level of the goalie drops as well then we would have been completely lost. So, that's fine."

Klopp elected to make three changes for the visit of the Cottagers, including a recall for Nunez over Cody Gakpo, but the Uruguayan's performance received mixed reviews on the night.

However, having won the penalty - albeit a controversial one - Klopp affirmed that Nunez played a "good game" at Anfield, where he was a "proper option" for his teammates all evening.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on May 3, 2023© Reuters

"Absolutely. I think for us it's super-important. You could see in the beginning, defending the centre against Fulham is really important because Palhinha is there and that is their connector, get [him] on the ball," Klopp responded when asked if he was satisfied with Nunez's display.

"We were a bit too early out there from Darwin, we tried to fix that, but he wanted and he was like a race horse - go, go, go, go for everybody. We opened up and that's where we struggle slightly, where they could control it for moments.

"We could sort that and apart from that he played a really good game, he was always a proper option for us and we needed that. One of the main things we had to do tonight was offer in behind, we had three really quick players there and I liked the situation pretty early in the game when Mo received the ball deep, chipped it in behind and Darwin can go there.

"I don't know exactly what was the result of that, but maybe a corner, which is good as well. Yes, he played a good game."

Liverpool remain fifth in the table thanks to Wednesday's win, four points behind Manchester United having played two games more, and they return to Anfield for the visit of Brentford on Saturday.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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