Mohamed Salah doubled Liverpool’s lead after Rio Ngumoha’s opener against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.
Liverpool ended a run of three straight defeats and eased the pressure on Arne Slot with a 2-0 win over Fulham.
Fulham, who have not won at Anfield since 2012, showed more bite and hunger for goals, but could not break the host’s defense.
Given the Brentford vs Everton 2-2 draw earlier, the game was incredibly important for Liverpool, who needed the win to stay within the top four.
The win moved Liverpool to 5th on 52 points, four points ahead of their closest challenger Chelsea in 6th and two points behind Aston Villa in 4th.
Chelsea play Manchester City on Super Sunday, and could overtake Liverpool with a win over Pep Guardiola’s men.
However, the worry for Liverpool is the second leg Champions League clash with PSG following their 2-0 deficit from the first leg.
The reigning European champions will be fresh on Tuesday after their scheduled game this weekend was postponed to allow the Paris based club an extra time to prepare for Anfield.
While PSG present goal scoring threats ahead of the Anfield clash, the clean sheet over Fulham at Anfield will boost Liverpool’s hope of challenging against reigning European champions.
“Superb performance from Ngumoha. We see from younger players that they struggle to play 90 minutes, and struggle to keep up with the pace of the game in the second half. That will come with time. Another impressive display from the youngster,” Stephen Warnock, former Liverpool defender, said.
The Reds remained threatening and Cody Gakpo should have made it 3-0 but his attempt was blocked by Timothy Castagne.
“Coming to Anfield and getting three points, it’s a great feeling. The atmosphere was great again so it’s a positive day.”
“It’s a special goal – Robbo [Andy Robertson] created space for me so I just cut inside and aimed for the corner.
“Liverpool for me are the biggest club in the world, to start so young and the manager and all the players having belief in me. I’ve just got to keep working hard,” Ngumona said.
Liverpool had conceded two or more goals 18 times in the final 20 minutes of Premier League games this season but despite shipping 19 shots and nine corners, managed this game without a major scare.
“I am delighted for Rio Ngumoha. What a moment for him. He’s 17-year-old old, and I have known him for a long time. It’s so good for him. And then you get the opposite side of the scale with Mo Salah scoring a goal as well.
“I said it before the game but I really want him to finish on a high. He deserves that. He’s a unique player, a Premier League great and a great professional,” Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool midfielder, said.
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