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<\/p>\nIan Doyle with the Liverpool verdict from the FA Cup fifth round clash at Wolves on Friday evening<\/p>\n
23:13, 06 Mar 2026Updated 08:50, 07 Mar 2026<\/p>\n
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Arne Slot celebrates after his Liverpool side booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win at Wolves(Image: Darren Staples \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Some things old and something new ensured Arne Slot wasn\u2019t left feeling blue at the end of another testing week for Liverpool.<\/p>\n
And while veteran campaigners Andy Robertson<\/a> and Mohamed Salah<\/a> ultimately steered the Reds on course for the FA Cup quarter-finals, it was 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha<\/a> who was the catalyst for a victory that will give Liverpool<\/a> renewed hope a difficult season can still end with silverware.<\/p>\n The genie is now very much out of the bottle regards Ngumoha, Slot<\/a> surely no longer able to hold back the winger from continuing the progress that saw him the Reds\u2019 stellar performer as they responded to Tuesday\u2019s shock Premier League loss at rock-bottom Wolves<\/a>.<\/p>\n From his very first involvement, there was a sense of excitement and urgency that was sorely lacking from much of Liverpool\u2019s efforts at Molineux three days earlier.<\/p>\n FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated LFC Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n It helps that Ngumoha isn\u2019t carrying the weight of history \u2013 whether recent or seasons past \u2013 that has so impacted Slot\u2019s side, at least mentally, for much of this campaign.<\/p>\n His performance lifted not only the travelling Kop but also his team-mates, who fed off his infectious enthusiasm. Whisper it quietly, but the second half was almost enjoyable to watch.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget, this was only Ngumoha\u2019s fifth career start. And more must surely now soon follow on this evidence. He is ready.<\/p>\n This victory, though, was earned by the impact of one old hand in particular. Robertson has seen himself nudged out of the first-choice left-back position by Milos Kerkez<\/a> and was close to leaving in January as Tottenham Hotspur came calling.<\/p>\n Starts have remained limited in recent months, but Robertson\u2019s professionalism and desire to make the most of such opportunities saw him thump in the opener six minutes into the second half and, 95 seconds later, invite Salah to double the lead from a low cross.<\/p>\n With Liverpool hoping for a busy end-of-season schedule, Slot will be compelled to rely more heavily on rotation. Robertson and other fringe players have an important role, and all stepped up here.<\/p>\n Curtis Jones<\/a> capped an encouraging performance in the No.10 role with a superb solo strike, while Joe Gomez<\/a> was comfortable when making a rare start at centre-back alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk<\/a>, although it wasn\u2019t ideal it meant Dominik Szoboszlai<\/a> was compelled to reprise his makeshift right-back role.<\/p>\n Curtis Jones celebrates after making it 3-0 to Liverpool at Wolves(Image: Liverpool FC\/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n There were other positives. Florian Wirtz<\/a> made a welcome return from injury with a second-half substitute appearance and Jeremie Frimpong<\/a> was very lively in his similar cameo.<\/p>\n However, Salah was again fitful at best in general play but Liverpool will hope a second goal inside three days further bolsters the Egyptian\u2019s confidence. Notably, both came from him having drifted into central positions.<\/p>\n Liverpool\u2019s laboured opening three days earlier once again shone a focus on their propensity for starting games slowly, particularly away from Anfield<\/a> having scored only three first-half goals on the road in the Premier League this season \u2013 with two of those coming in additional time.<\/p>\n The Reds, though, were keen to respond to their damaging midweek loss and began strongly with the exciting Ngumoha causing plenty of problems down the left flank with clever footwork and pace.<\/p>\n In his best opening of the half, the teenager warmed the palms of Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone after being found in the area by Cody Gakpo<\/a>, with Alexis Mac Allister<\/a> having already had one shot saved.<\/p>\n As on Tuesday, Wolves set out their stall with a blanket five-man defence and terrier-like midfield trio that was quite happy to let Liverpool have the ball with the intent of pouncing on the counter-attack.<\/p>\n![\"WOLVERHAMPTON,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_GettyImages-2265158901jp.jpg\")
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