Liverpool 2, Fulham 0: Rio Ngumoha Shatters Raheem Sterling's Record, Alleviating Pressure on Arne Slot After PSG Loss

THE KOP sang Mo Salah’s theme tune before and after he produced the signature finish that sealed victory – and superb it was, too.

But Liverpool’s fans need to come up with a song for Rio Ngumoha and fast, for it took him less than half this game to show he can be the future for Liverpool.

Mo Salah was back among the goals to help Liverpool’s Champions League pushCredit: AFP He was joined by Rio Ngumoha as he became the Reds youngest Prem scorer at AnfieldCredit: EPA

And maybe, in the short term, keep Arne Slot in a job.

For the 17 year old winger not only produced a brilliant 36^th minute opener, he also showed he can be the new heartbeat of a team that was on life support and in danger of flat-lining with the Dutchman’s Anfield career seemingly fatally wounded.

This season, as Slot’s defence of his debut Prem title turned into a disaster there has only been the blame game and not the Beautiful Game, fingers pointed right, left and centred mainly on him.

In his programme notes skipper Virgil van Dijk talked more talk of crisis, declaring : “There’s no shying away from the fact that the past few days have been particularly tough.

“We have to get our heads down, stick together and give absolutely everything. Nothing else is acceptable at this football club. No excuses.”

Hardly an inspiring message, more one of desperation. But then young Nguomha walked the walk.

And the only thing anybody could blame on Rio was that he lifted the whole place.

The reign of Anfield’s Egyptian king is not yet dead but once his farewell tour ends there will be life after him in the form of the prodigy who brought the house down with his second Prem goal.

Back in August, when all seemed well for Slot and the re-packaged squad that had just had a £426M makeover, he made history.

Then still aged 16 he scored a fabulous 100^th minute winner in a 3 – 2 triumph over Newcastle United that made him the youngest scorer ever for Liverpool.

This one was just as good but as Liverpool’s marketing slogan goes this meant more.

This came in a clash against the Cottagers with his side’s season hanging by a thread.

For he suddenly new meaning, gave team mates and fans alike hope when it had seemed all hope had gone – maybe even of clinging on to a Prem fifth place and the guarantee of Champions League football next season.

Above all, had this result gone the wrong way for him, Slot’s position might well have been deemed untenable.

He made five changes from the line – up that on Wednesday night were shown an act of mercy by PSG.

The Champions League holders won 2 – 0 but Liverpool could easily have lost just as humiliatingly as they had in the 4 – 0 FA Cup quarter final defeat by Manchester City four days earlier.

No doubt he also had Tuesday’s return leg with the French in mind as Salah was restored while Ngumoha was given the second Prem start of his career.

Slot admitted after his side were played off the park in Paris that they were “in survival mode, but maybe also in the period we are in at the moment we are in survival mode.”

None more so than the under-fire Dutchman himself with a selection against the Cottagers that was all about going for it, with holding midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch benched.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones took their places while up front Hugo Ekitike was rested in favour of Cody Gakpo and the changes certainly added a much – needed mood of positivity.

Andy Robertson, who replaced £40M Milos Kerkez, saw an early shot blocked after a fine move inspired by Florian Wirtz.

Salah, not even allowed off the bench in Paris, went much closer after a determined right flank attack by Jeremie Frimpong.

Bernd Leno, this time, did well to parry the kind of turn and shot in the box that has long ensured him of legendary as he prepares to leave this summer.

There was also a vain penalty appeal as Ngumoha tumbled under Oscar Bobb’s challenge but once again such a bright start threatened to peter out.

That was until Ngumoha popped up again in the box, quick feet dazzling, before he swerved and let fly with a right footer that curled beautifully into the far corner.

Salah responded in kind four minutes later, delivering as he always used to before this campaign of crisis and “under the bus” accusations.

His left footer bore the hallmark of majesty, a reminder of how and why he ruled Anfield for so long.

But before much – happier fans headed home last night it was Ngumoha they were bowing down to, his 68 minutes of action exactly what the doctor, and especially Slot, ordered.