Ian Doyle with the Liverpool verdict from the FA Cup fifth round clash at Wolves on Friday evening
Arne Slot celebrates after his Liverpool side booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win at Wolves(Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
Some things old and something new ensured Arne Slot wasn’t left feeling blue at the end of another testing week for Liverpool.
And while veteran campaigners Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah ultimately steered the Reds on course for the FA Cup quarter-finals, it was 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha who was the catalyst for a victory that will give Liverpool renewed hope a difficult season can still end with silverware.
The genie is now very much out of the bottle regards Ngumoha, Slot surely no longer able to hold back the winger from continuing the progress that saw him the Reds’ stellar performer as they responded to Tuesday’s shock Premier League loss at rock-bottom Wolves.
From his very first involvement, there was a sense of excitement and urgency that was sorely lacking from much of Liverpool’s efforts at Molineux three days earlier.
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It helps that Ngumoha isn’t carrying the weight of history – whether recent or seasons past – that has so impacted Slot’s side, at least mentally, for much of this campaign.
His performance lifted not only the travelling Kop but also his team-mates, who fed off his infectious enthusiasm. Whisper it quietly, but the second half was almost enjoyable to watch.
Don’t forget, this was only Ngumoha’s fifth career start. And more must surely now soon follow on this evidence. He is ready.
This victory, though, was earned by the impact of one old hand in particular. Robertson has seen himself nudged out of the first-choice left-back position by Milos Kerkez and was close to leaving in January as Tottenham Hotspur came calling.
Starts have remained limited in recent months, but Robertson’s professionalism and desire to make the most of such opportunities saw him thump in the opener six minutes into the second half and, 95 seconds later, invite Salah to double the lead from a low cross.
With Liverpool hoping for a busy end-of-season schedule, Slot will be compelled to rely more heavily on rotation. Robertson and other fringe players have an important role, and all stepped up here.
Curtis Jones capped an encouraging performance in the No.10 role with a superb solo strike, while Joe Gomez was comfortable when making a rare start at centre-back alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk, although it wasn’t ideal it meant Dominik Szoboszlai was compelled to reprise his makeshift right-back role.
Curtis Jones celebrates after making it 3-0 to Liverpool at Wolves(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
There were other positives. Florian Wirtz made a welcome return from injury with a second-half substitute appearance and Jeremie Frimpong was very lively in his similar cameo.
However, Salah was again fitful at best in general play but Liverpool will hope a second goal inside three days further bolsters the Egyptian’s confidence. Notably, both came from him having drifted into central positions.
Liverpool’s laboured opening three days earlier once again shone a focus on their propensity for starting games slowly, particularly away from Anfield having scored only three first-half goals on the road in the Premier League this season – with two of those coming in additional time.
The Reds, though, were keen to respond to their damaging midweek loss and began strongly with the exciting Ngumoha causing plenty of problems down the left flank with clever footwork and pace.
In his best opening of the half, the teenager warmed the palms of Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone after being found in the area by Cody Gakpo, with Alexis Mac Allister having already had one shot saved.
As on Tuesday, Wolves set out their stall with a blanket five-man defence and terrier-like midfield trio that was quite happy to let Liverpool have the ball with the intent of pouncing on the counter-attack.
In truth, there was precious little threat from the home team. But while Liverpool dominated possession before the break, they were restricted to pot-shots from range with Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and even Gomez trying their luck with expected results.
But the game changed completely with two goals in as many minutes with Robertson pivotal in both.
Andy Robertson fires Liverpool into the lead in their FA Cup tie at Wolves(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
The first, on 51 minutes, came from a Liverpool break with Gakpo’s pass feeding Salah to sprint into the area. The ball was moved across to Jones and then into the path of Robertson, who struck a first-time shot into the far bottom corner from 22 yards.
Robertson then turned creator when, played down the left by Ngumoha, his low cross was converted at the far post by Salah, whose effort stood after a VAR check having initially been flagged offside.
Liverpool made the game safe with 16 minutes remaining when Jones accepted a pass from Gravenberch and cut across field before curling an excellent effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
There will be disappointment at the leaking of yet another injury-time goal as Wolves registered a consolation when substitute Hee Chan Hwang raced through on to long ball to score.
But it would be wrong to be over-critical on an evening when Slot and his players responded in the right manner to the questions that were rightly being asked in the wake of Tuesday’s debacle.
The sounds of “Wembley, Wembley” booming out from the away end spoke volumes. Liverpool are now just one step away from a return to Anfield South.