Premier League 2018/19, Liverpool 2-0 Fulham: 3 Reasons Why Liverpool won the match

Xherdan Shaqiri was included in the starting XI, having been recently been dropped for Liverpool's loss to Red Star Belgrade due to non-sporting reasons.

It was a routine win for Liverpool as they comfortably dispatched Premier League strugglers Fulham at their home ground by two goals to nil.

They are one of the three teams yet to face defeat this league season, and the win today saw them temporarily return to the summit of the table.

Fulham defended well and looked a threat on the counter-attack, letting the Scousers have majority of the possession for the entirety of the match (73% to be precise).

But the Cottagers had the best chance in the opening stages through teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon, whose shot narrowly missed the far post of Alisson's net at the 24th minute.

They almost broke the deadlock in the 40th minute through Alexander Mitrovic, but it was controversially ruled offside.

Fulham remained in the game through some resilient defending and excellent goalkeeping, but Mohamed Salah broke the deadlock at the 41st minute, firing a low shot past the Argentinian from a lovely Alexander-Arnold cross, who caught the Fulham defense out with some searing speed and great vision.

Fulham created some great chances in the first half and were unlucky to go in at halftime trailing, mostly being let down by their finishing, or lack thereof.

They were pinned back by Liverpool from the start of the second half and eventually broke through at the 53rd minute through summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri.

The Swiss international put a beautiful first touch shot past Sergio Rico from a stunning Andy Robertson cross from the left wing.

Here are the 3 reasons why Liverpool came out victorious over their traveling opponents.

#1 The magnificence of their full backs

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have had a meteoric rise in their stature at the club and in World Football over the past year or so.

They have gone on from being the second choice to Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno to be one of the most potent fullback pairings in the World.

Their co-ordination amongst themselves and their teammates immaculate, as they both know exactly when to press on and when to drop deep and help out at the back, giving opposition wingers almost no joy, and their defense several headaches, as was the case today.

They both chipped in with an assist each, and put in a brilliant shift, not letting too much get past them, and keeping the Fulham wingers' contribution to the game to a bare minimum.