Rio Ngumoha scored a stunning opener to become Liverpool's youngest ever league scorer at Anfield, helping the Reds secure a crucial 2-0 victory over Fulham. The 17-year-old's strike, followed by a Mo Salah goal he helped set up, eased the mounting pressure on manager Arne Slot.
Slot had faced intense scrutiny after Liverpool won just one of their last six games and lost three in a row. He recalled Ngumoha and Salah to the starting line-up after leaving them on the bench for the midweek defeat at Paris Saint-Germain. Andy Robertson, who announced he would leave Anfield at the end of the season, was also brought back as part of five changes.
Fulham, who named an unchanged side, had hopes of closing the gap to Liverpool in the table but never threatened after the hosts' early dominance. Liverpool pressed hard, with Robertson, Cody Gakpo, and Salah all having chances before the deadlock was broken.
Ngumoha ended the tedium in first-half stoppage time, cutting in from the right and curling a delightful shot past Bernd Leno into the far corner. Four minutes later, he played a part in Salah's sublime finish into the opposite corner – the Egyptian's 256th goal for the club. The two quick goals transformed the atmosphere at Anfield and effectively sealed the win.
Liverpool controlled the second half, with Ngumoha continuing to torment Fulham before being substituted to a standing ovation in the 68th minute. The victory keeps Liverpool in the hunt for Champions League qualification, while questions over Slot's future may be temporarily silenced.
