Arne Slot issues strong message to PSG as Liverpool boss picks out Rio Ngumoha

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has sent a strong message after beating Fulham in the Premier League, with the Reds boss eyeing up a comeback against PSG on Tuesday

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was delighted with his side's win over Fulham in the Premier League — with Rio Ngumoha starring for the Reds at Anfield.

First-half goals from the 17-year-old and Mohamed Salah set Liverpool up for an important victory in the race to qualify for the Champions League. While the performance after the interval was less impressive, the Reds had already done more than enough to get over the line.

"For sure, I am happier than after losing 4-0 and 2-0," Slot said live on Sky Sports. "A good first half, we were already close a few times, and then Rio had a good moment.

"Just before that, I felt Fulham were having a good game, so it was really helpful that Rio had a one v one moment and scored a great goal. And afterwards Mo finished off well. Then you're quite comfortable at half-time."

Ngumoha was the stand-out performer for his side on the day, looking lively once again down the left flank. Slot says he showed why he is starting to give him a bit more game time.

"One of his [Rio's] strengths is dominating the one-v-one," Slot explained. "We've seen this season that he's getting more and more playing time.

Rio Ngumoha celebrates after his first goal at Anfield sets Liverpool on their way to a vital 2-0 victory over Fulham (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"That's also what he deserves because when he plays, he does really well. He's influencing the game like he did today and like he did against Wolves. Today, he even scored, which is vital in football because goals mean a lot."

The question now is whether or not Liverpool can build on that performance with a win over PSG midweek, though even a narrow victory against the Ligue 1 giant will not be sufficient to progress into the Champions League semi-finals.

"It's a better place than it was two or three days ago or a week ago. But it's also not that after we win all of a sudden everything is good again.

"We've played many games like this this season but they've not always led to a win. We've deserved to win, not by a big margin, but we deserved to win.

"I was really happy with a clean sheet. That's what you need in almost every game. Definitely we need that on Tuesday.

"It's a big step going into the week not only for PSG but also Everton at the end of the week. There are only two days of rest.

"The fans will be behind us and the players will give everything they have to turn things around. I can tell you we are up for it, we're ready for it, and Anfield will be ready for it."