Ngumoha decision is obvious for Liverpool - PSG won't know what to do with him

There were some changes and plenty of pace up front, which paid off nicely with a 2-0 win and a clean sheet to extend the lead over Chelsea in the race for fifth.

Mohamed Salah scored a great goal and it was the sort of thing we're used to seeing at Anfield; a textbook home victory with very little drama. That just hasn't been the case enough this season.

I have to say though I thought Fulham had some big chances on the day and we must be tighter at the back when the Champions League returns. We will have to be near perfect defensively.

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The win over Fulham also showcased exactly what Rio Ngumoha is all about and he has to start now against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

I can't for the life of me understand why he has been wrapped in cotton wool so much by Arne Slot. If you are good enough, you are old enough and you have to say he is bringing more to that position on the left flank presently than Cody Gakpo is.

Gakpo has been a really good player for us in the last few years, especially last year when we won the Premier League, but he's had a poor season for whatever reason. So why not start young Rio now?

PSG won't know how to play against Ngumoha because he is so different. He is young, he is fearless and won't respect any reputations because he just wants to take his man on all the time.

We're going to need something unpredictable in the final third and he is screaming out for a start because he can provide just that.

I get that Slot has been keen not to overexert someone who doesn't turn 18 until August but sometimes a player learns more in tougher times. It's fine blooding him in when things are going well but we can see what he is really about when he is needed to produce. He has to start for my money.

Players must respond to fans

Much will inevitably be said about the Liverpool fans and the Anfield atmosphere for Tuesday night's game with PSG. But, in truth, there is only so much the match-goers can do.

Of course, they will turn up and play their part and give the Liverpool players something to use but the squad must do the real work on the pitch. If the players don't turn up, a great atmosphere won't be much use.

It can be a night to remember but the players have to make this PSG team worry more than the fans can. With the quality of players the current champions of Europe have, they won't necessarily be knocked off their stride by Anfield's noise alone.

It's all about the first goal. Getting that will turn the noise up to incredible levels and going in at half time with a 1-0 lead could be massive for turning things around in the tie.

If PSG score first, though, it will pretty much be curtains for a seventh European Cup. The stakes are high and the margins for error are small.

If Liverpool are going to exit the Champions League on Tuesday night, then let's go out with a bang.