Fortune favours the brave - will Slot start Ngumoha against PSG?
The strains of Duran Duran's 80s hit 'Rio' swept around Anfield after the pressure and scrutiny that has been closing in on head coach Arne Slot and Liverpool was relieved - for now - by victory against Fulham . It was played in celebration of the brilliance of Rio Ngumoha. He was born 26 years after the song was released – but on this day it was a timely soundtrack of celebration after the 17-year-old delivered an electrifying performance to lift the mood of discontent hanging over Liverpool .
Ngumoha not only answered their call for inspiration in these troubled times with a goal and a starring role in this 2-0 win against Fulham that kept Liverpool fifth in the Premier League - he also gave Slot a dilemma. Does he now start the teenage prodigy in a game that could play a part in shaping his own future as well as this current team's? Anfield was not a happy place before kick-off as Liverpool fans expressed their anger at events on and off the pitch in what has, so far, been a season of suffering.
The Kop, Anfield's heartbeat, was an unfamiliar sight as the giant flags which form such an integral part of the atmosphere and celebrate the club's rich history were missing as part of a protest by fans' groups against proposed ticket price increases by Liverpool owners FSG. It made for a highly effective visible – or non-visible – peaceful protest, while a group of supporters marched along the front of The Kop after the game started parading a giant banner emblazoned with the words: "No To Ticket Price Increases". The protests continued with colourfully critical chants against FSG, the cleaned-up message being "Enough Is Enough".
Liverpool started against this backdrop following heavy criticism after the FA Cup quarter-final thrashing at Manchester City , followed by the gross timidity of the 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final first leg in Paris. Slot, and Liverpool , needed a spark with the season – and perhaps the Dutchman's future – at a pivotal point. Liverpool return to winning ways with victory against Fulham Step forward Ngumoha to provide it - and to leave Liverpool 's supporters who were thrilled by his performance posing a crucial question.
If fortune favours the brave, will Slot have the courage to start Ngumoha in an attempt to retrieve that deficit when the Champions League holders come to Anfield for Tuesday's second leg? Including Ngumoha would be the high-risk strategy, and Slot's natural default position has been conservatism this season. He will also be wary of PSG's threat on the counter-attack that has torn apart better teams than this current Liverpool side.