Liverpool have beaten Fulham 2-0 in their crucial Premier League at Anfield thanks to a moment of magic from teenage star Rio Ngumoha and a superb finish from Mohamed Salah.
The 17-year-old did two stepovers and two chops before bending the ball beautifully into the back of the net at the Anfield Road end in the 36th minute.
And then four minutes later the departing Salah got in on the act with an equally impressive strike.
The Sky Sports-live clash was a big one with vctory for Liverpool after three straight defeats in all competitions not only lifting morale, but also lifting them four points above Chelsea in the battle for Champions League qualification.
And thanks for joining me, Ste and Paul on today's live blog.
It's been a good evening for Liverpool. They now stand four points clear of Chelsea in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Next up - the Champions League itself and Tuesday's huge second-leg quarter-final clash at home to Paris Saint-Germain.
We'll be back for that one, but until then, look after yourselves.
Arne Slot says he would have no qualms starting Rio Ngumoha against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night after the Liverpool winger scored in Saturday's win over Fulham.
The 17-year-old registered his second goal of the campaign, and his first for the club at Anfield, when he fired past Bernd Leno before Mohamed Salah made it 2-0 shortly after to send the Reds four points clear of Chelsea, who are one place back in sixth ahead of Sunday's visit from Manchester City.
Asked if Ngumoha had played himself into contention for the quarter-final second leg against European champions PSG, who are 2-0 up from the first leg in Paris last week, Slot said he would have no issue starting the teenager given his quality.
"Yeah, I think he is ready," the Liverpool head coach said. "Now I think the question, of course, is can he do this two days later? But would he be able to play at that level?
"Yeah, I play him because I see him as one of the players we are having. It’s not like he is less or at the beginning of the season, he was a young player, getting some experience with the first team.
"Now he is someone I can pick for every game, so also the one on Tuesday. But in general, expecting a 17-year-old can play three games in six days - because we are unfortunate we have Wednesday-Tuesday fixtures from UEFA - you could question if that is realistic.
"Especially the ones there in Paris saw that intensity. You noticed that in almost every player in my line-up, I was aware how intense two days ago was and how intense two days from today will be again."
"But for all the garlands that landed at the feet of Salah and Robertson from the Liverpool fans here, it would be wrong to paint this some sort of legends' love-in. There was also an edge the match-going crowd, who raged against the club's decision to raise ticket prices for the next three years last month.
"The Reds' decision-makers were angrily accused of being "greedy b*******" and were told to "shove your prices up your a****" by a Kop who had just one banner draped across it all afternoon: "No to ticket price increases".
"It will be fascinating to see if the message resonated across the Atlantic in the boardrooms of owners Fenway Sports Group. The protests organised by supporters' union Spirit of Shankly have only added to the current sense of disconnect following a poor season and the wider mood is so far removed from this time last year as Liverpool closed in on the title.
"It perhaps speaks to the paucity of their rivals, at least, that a first win since February actually allowed Slot's men to go four points clear in the fifth and final Champions League spot. And this might even prove to be a huge day in the entire campaign now given sixth-place Chelsea host a title-hunting Manchester City on Sunday.
"Easing clear of Chelsea and securing participation in next season's European Cup is now the No.1 priority. It won't make this term a success by any metric but it will at least provide the club with the funds needed to rebuild the squad in time for that aforementioned new era.
"Because whether they like it or not, this afternoon confirmed it is hurtling towards them."
READ PAUL GORST'S BIG MATCH VERDICT IN FULL HERE
Arne Slot says he "would be surprised" if Curtis Jones is fit for Tuesday night.
"I hope he is available but I would doubt it," said the Liverpool head coach.
The midfielder has suffered a groin injury.
They arrived to begin bidding farewell to pillars of a glorious past. But as they filed away from Anfield, the delighted home supporters will have departed with hope of a new player in which to invest hope of an encouraging future.
While two extremes of experience combined to help ease the pressure on beleaguered Reds boss Arne Slot and bolster claims for Champions League qualification, it was Rio Ngumoha who provided the much-needed spark of excitement among the fanbase.
Read Ian Doyle's on-the-whistle talking point in full HERE.
GIORGI MAMARDASHVILI - 7
Made an important stop from Oscar Bobb after the half-hour mark and then another smart save later on in the first period.
Looked to help out Salah as much as possible with overlapping and underlapping runs and didn't do much wrong defensively. Cut-backs from wide areas were dangerous at times.
Largely untroubled at the back alongside Van Dijk and needed a quieter afternoon after a tough week.
Handled the powerful Rodrigo Muniz really well and didn't put a foot wrong. Important interception denied Sander Berge on the counter in the second half.
Motored up and down all game and was always looking to get his colleagues away with balls in behind the Fulham defence. Even managed to have a couple of shots at Leno's goal too.
READ PAUL GORST'S PLAYER RATINGS IN FULL HERE
Andy Robertson speaking to Sky Sports:
He became Liverpool's youngest ever league score, overtaking Raheem Sterling.
Liverpool are back to winning ways.
How did the players rate?
You can read Paul Gorst's ratings, here.
Jamie Redknapp speaking to Sky Sports:
Liverpool return to winning ways thanks to first-half goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah.
They move four points clear of Chelsea and to within two of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Liverpool almost home and hosed.
Liverpool just minutes away from their first win since West Ham United on February 28.
If it stays like this, it'll be their first home clean sheet since New Year's Day.
Salah's race is run after 89 minutes and is replaced by Trey Nyoni.
Brilliant play from Liverpool.
Mac Allister clips through for Gakpo, his cross is only partially defended by Fulham, it falls to Mac Allister but he could only rifle the effort wide.
My word, Liverpool survive again.
Sessegnon does well down the left, cuts back for Smith Rowe, he hits it first time but can't find the bottom corner. Mamardashvili was nervous.
Liverpool go from looking dangerous moving forward to susceptible defensively within an instant.
More changes being readied by Marco Silva.
Wilson and Muniz off for Chukwueze and Jimenez.
Liverpool showing the best and worst of themselves in the last 15 minutes.
Defensively, they are giving the ball away too much and giving Fulham confidence that they can snatch a goal. Joe Gomez was careless in possession before Ibrahima Konate's pass was close to being intercepted.
At the other end, they break forward like the red arrows, Gakpo opts to go alone but can't punish Fulham.
Liverpool need another one, if not two.
Liverpool subs: Gomez, Mac Allister and Isak on.
Wirtz, Ngumoha and Frimpong off.
Ryan Sessegnon comes on for the visitors, he replaces Antonee Robinson.
It's a real test of Liverpool's mental strength now.
They lead but a goal from Fulham will test the fragility of the Reds.
Too many times Liverpool have wilted under pressure.
They've had the warning shots but will they heed them?
Big 25 minutes to come.
Liverpool are living dangerously.
Muniz has a free header but it deflects over.
The Reds manage to survive the corner and counter but Fulham get bodies back.
Better from Liverpool.
Nguomha turns provider and he lofts one towards the far post for Wirtz, who was being pulled after getting the wrong side of Robinson, but the German fires over.
Approaching the hour mark, Liverpool lead 2-0.
If the first five minutes are anything to go by, this is by no means over.
Fulham have started brighter and remember, the 2-0 scoreline is a risky one.
But as I type, it's an incisive counter-attack from Liverpool. Frimpong's cross finds Gakpo, unmarked, but he can't apply the finish. Has to do better.
Warning immediately after the break for Liverpool.
Sasa Lukic has the ball in the back of the net but it is ruled offside.
That won't go to VAR. He's miles off.
Liverpool get the game underway for the second half.
Curtis Jones off for Ryan Gravenberch. Second half underway any second.
Teams are back out for the second half.
Changes for both sides, Ryan Gravenberch on for Curtis Jones.
ON - Sasa Lukic, Emile Smith Rowe
OFF - Oscar Bobb, Josh King
Dare to Dream: "At last, some pace, some attacking momentum and look what happens. Yes, they’re not the best team around but we are showing what can be done. Rio has to start most games from here to the end of the season!"
Clarkhou12: "The old and the new, 2-0"
Join the discussion and have a debate (be nice).
Goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah the difference so far.
It's a huge game for Liverpool in the context of qualifying for the Champions League and so far, they're overcoming the test.
Made an important stop from Oscar Bobb after the half-hour mark and then another smart save later on.
Looked to help out Mohamed Salah as much as possible with overlapping and underlapping runs and didn't do much wrong defensively.
Largely untroubled at the back alongside Van Dijk.
Handled the powerful Rodrigo Muniz really well and didn't put a foot wrong.
Motored up and down all half and was always looking to get his colleagues away with balls in behind the Fulham defence. Managed to have a couple of shots at Leno's goal too.
Kept things neat and tidy as part of a two-man midfield but perhaps didn't play enough progressive chances when the opportunities presented themselves.
DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI - 7
Much more like it from the Hungary captain who was typically energetic at both ends. Always wanted to feed the wide players in possession.
Decent effort was saved by Leno early on before another was blocked by a defender after a swivel inside the six-yard box. Saved his best for later in the half though with a trademark finish.
Started quietly but grew into the game and began to link up neatly with the wingers. Blazed one well over but displayed some nice touches.
Had a shout for a penalty waved away after a one-two with Wirtz. Was typically bright throughout with the visitors doubling up on him at every turn. Fulham could do nothing about a pretty sensational opening goal, however.
Decent strike flashed wide after 20 minutes and did well to set up Salah for the second goal.
Jeremie Frimpong trips Antonee Robinson and Fulham have a dangerous free-kick.
There is a stoppage as Curtis Jones receives treatment.
So many times this season it has been Liverpool who have fell behind and struggled to maintain composure. But tonight it's their turn to score and double their tally in quick succession.
There's two minutes added at the end of the first-half.
Ryan Gravenberch stripped and receiving instructions.
