• [Dailystar Icon]
• Sport
• Football
• Liverpool FC

Arne Slot makes crucial decision every Liverpool fan cried out for as Reds return to form

Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League against Fulham after three games without victory and fresh off a pasting in weekend by PSG

[Arne Slot]

Arne Slot saw his side return to winning ways(Image: Getty Images)

This was the evening that Liverpool have been crying out for as the Reds returned to winning ways with a straightforward 2-0 win over Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.

On the back of three games without a win in the league and being run all over by PSG in the Champions League in midweek, the visit of Fulham looked another tough test for Arne Slots out-of-sorts side, but it didnt prove to be.

Slot had to change something after the lacklustre defeat to PSG where the Reds saw just 26 per cent of the ball, and had three shots all evening with none on target. And just as fans have been calling out for, Slot turned to 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha from the start.

[Rio Ngumoha]

Rio Ngumoha scored a brilliant opener(Image: Getty Images)

JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

In just the second time hes been named in the starting line-up in the league this season, Ngumoha showed the direct and energetic play that Liverpool have majorly missed this season. The England U19 winger opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a brilliantly taken strike, cutting onto his right foot after standing up Timothy Castagne.

Speaking at half-time, former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp lauded the teenagers goal, saying: This is a young player breaking into the first team. Rio Ngumoha is playing in those wide areas. It's a fantastic bit of play.

He stands up Castagne. A couple step overs, and then he chops to his left, and he doesnt have a lot of an angle, but he whips it round, giving Leno no chance whatsoever. He has such fast feet and hes really difficult to mark, hes been good for the first 35 minutes, but he definitely come alive then.

[Mohamed Salah]

Mohamed Salah scored an identical finish(Image: Getty Images)

Anfield saw a taste of the future but they also got a welcome reminder of the past too as Mohamed Salah, back in the team after remaining an unused substitute against PSG in the midweek defeat, whipped a similar finish into the far corner just minutes later.

Almost like a mirror, Ngumoha cutting in on his left from the right was followed up by trademark Salah cutting in from the right on his left and finding the far corner.

After a miserable season for the 33-year-old, he was left smiling from ear to ear with it obvious how much it meant to the man who has just four more games at Anfield as a Liverpool player before departing as a free agent at the end of the season.

[Mohamed Salah celebrates]

Salah was beaming ear to ear after scoring(Image: Getty Images)

The Reds were in command at half-time but the second half saw sloppiness in possession begin to appear while playing out from the back. Luckily for the hosts Fulham weren't able to capitalise on the openings they did have due to the Reds' complacency. Emile Smith Rowe and Raul Jimenez both went close with efforts that could have changed the game.

As the game started to drift, Alexander Isak made a second appearance off the bench in the space of just a few days as he continues to build fitness having missed four months due to a broken leg.

The striker replaced Ngumoha with Cody Gakpo moving out to the left. Ngumoha is yet to start a Champions League game but his early sub could indicate that the 17-year-old might be a joker in the pack to start in a bid to build excitement around the stadium.

Liverpool remain 5th in the league but have closed the gap to Manchester United in 3rd to three points and Aston Villa in 4th to two points before the two clubs play later this weekend. Looking below them, Liverpool moved four points clear of Chelsea, who play Manchester City on Sunday after three defeats in four league matches.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.