SAINTS loanee Mario Lemina’s first Fulham goal was enough for a 1-0 Premier League win at Liverpool, as the struggling Cottagers gave their own survival hopes a massive boost.

The Gabon midfielder became the first Fulham player to score against Liverpool at Anfield, since Collins John in March 2006.

It meant Fulham, having lost just once in their past seven, are only in the bottom three by virtue of having a goal difference three worse than Brighton.

Scott Parker’s side are currently seven points adrift of Saints, who sit 14th after beating Sheffield United on Saturday.

Lemina joined the Cottagers on a season-long loan in August 2020.

The 27-year-old has played 52 times for Saints in all competitions since joining for £18.1million from Juventus in August 2017, signing a five-year deal at St Mary’s.

He spent last season on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray.