Talented teenager Rio Ngumhoa scored one and made the other as he inspired Liverpool to a much-needed victory over flat Fulham at Anfield earlier this afternoon.
Ngumhoa’s first Anfield goal – a sumptuous strike that swerved away from Bernd Leno before nestling in the bottom corner of the German’s net – was soon followed by a second from Mohamed Salah as Marco Silva’s side paid the penalty for losing concentration. The three points were useful for a relieved Arne Slot, whose team had triumphed in only two of their last eight fixtures, and lifted a mutinous mood as the flags had come down from the Kop in protest at Liverpool’s decision to rise ticket prices by 15 per cent over the next three years.
The visitors looked exactly like a side who hadn’t taken to the filed in three weeks but they defended stoutly, with Andy Robinson seeing an early shot blocked by Harry Wilson and Salah denied by Bernd Leno. Cody Gakpo came close to ending his scoreless strike when he fired wide from the edge of the penalty while referee Anthony Taylor waved away home appeals for a penalty after Ngumoha went to ground too easily.
Fulham had a flurry sparked by a shot from Alex Iwobi, which was straight at Giorgi Mamardashvili. Oscar Bobb saw a promising run culminate in a sprawling save from the Georgian goalkeeper, before Wilson crept into the area and curled an effort just over the bar. Silva’s side sensed Liverpool’s vulnerability but they were caught out after Joachim Andersen hammered an optimistic effort straight into the goalkeeper’s arms from 40 yards.
The Danish defender was out of position as the hosts moved forward and a marauding run from Florian Wirtz gave the London-born seventeen year-old Ngumoha a chance to run at Timothy Castagne, who had very little protection. He beat the bewildered Belgian and cut inside on his right foot before bending a brilliant finish around Leno and in via the far post. It was an exquisite effort that underscored just what a precocious talent Slot has up his sleeve.
The youngster played a big part in the second, which arrived just four minutes later, too. He darted into dangerous territory in the area once again this time finding Gakpo, whose swift lay-off gave Salah, in his first game since announcing his departure at the end of the season, a shooting chance that the Egyptian wasn’t going to miss. His eighth goal of a stop-start season settled the contest, although Fulham were far more competitive after a half-time tongue lashing from Silva.
Sasa Lukic prepares to take a corner in front of the Fulham fans (Photo: Christiane Busani)
Substitute Sasa Lukic had a goal disallowed for offside within two minutes of the restart before Rodrigo Muniz wasted a free header from a corner. Emile Smith Rowe and Raul Jimenez both spurned good chances in the closing stages – but Liverpool, who might have added to their advantage through Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister, were good value for that elusive victory. Now, Slot’s side will attempt to conjure up a classic European comeback against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday night.
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong (Gomez 69), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Jones (Gravenberch 45); Salah (Nyoni 90), Wirtz (Mac Allister 68), Ngumoha (Isak 69); Gakpo. Subs (not used): Woodman, Kirkez, Chiesa, Ekitike.
GOALS: Ngumoha (36), Salah (40).
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, A. Robinson (R. Sessegnon 69), Anderson, Bassey; Berge, Iwobi; Wilson (Chukwueze 80), Bobb (Lukic 45), King (Smith Rowe 45); Muniz (Jimenez 80). Subs (not used): Lecomte, Diop, Cuenca, Cairney.
REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester).
ATTENDANCE: 60,401