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.
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.
READ IAN DOYLE’S VERDICT IN FULL HERE.