Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool's FA Cup third round clash against Barnsley at Anfield on Monday evening
Rio Ngumoha earned valuable experience from the start for Liverpool against Barnsley
Rio Ngumoha earned valuable experience from the start for Liverpool against Barnsley(Image: AP)
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The strange narrative of some suggests it has been a tough few days for Gabriel Martinelli. But the supposed suffering of the Arsenal winger pales compared to that of Conor Bradley.
And with the Liverpool right-back now out for the domestic season with the serious knee injury to which Martinelli controversially took exception last Thursday, Arne Slot must now juggle his resources in the position for the remainder of the campaign.
In truth, it has been like that ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold departed with Bradley and summer signing Jeremie Frimpong sidelined at various times through injury.
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Frimpong will be first choice and continued his decisive recent form with a blistering solo effort for Liverpool’s second goal.
His minutes, though, will need to be managed, and the Dutchman was substituted on the hour along with the other main option, Joe Gomez, who had a difficult time at centre-back on his first start in a month.
That Dominik Szoboszlai ended the game at right-back spoke volumes. Unless Liverpool opt to dip into the transfer market this month, it’s unlikely to be the last time the versatile Hungarian reprises the role.
Ngumoha learning lessons
For all Arne Slot’s intention of going reasonably strong here, there was one youngster who was always going to start.
And this was a chance for Rio Ngumoha to serve a reminder of the blistering talent that saw him become Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer when netting a dramatic late Premier League winner at Newcastle United back in August.
Ngumoha, who turned 17 a few days later, has since been used sparingly, with five more top-flight substitute appearances and one in the Champions League to go with two starts in the League Cup.
Slot spoke ahead of this game about Liverpool being keen not to place too much strain on the developing youngster with his first-team training days carefully managed.
This display, then, was another necessary step along the learning curve for the teenager.
Starting on the left, Ngumoha attempted to inject pace and urgency to Liverpool’s attacking play only to, save one electric move, be constantly hounded out.
There were glimmers after the break – the Anfield crowd warmed to him when winning one corner – until being switched to the right for a stint that saw more of the same. But every experience is worthwhile for Ngumoha at this stage of his career.
Bench makes difference
It wasn’t quite the cavalry. But Arne Slot was for once grateful for the strength in depth from his bench to eventually see this one through.
And for both Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, it provided an opportunity to maintain their respective productive spells.
Wirtz atoned for an earlier poor miss with an excellent finish after a combination between Ekitike and Curtis Jones, the Germany international's fifth goal contribution in six games.
He then returned the compliment during additional time to provide his French team-mate with a 12th goal of the season.
There was less joy, though, for Federico Chiesa, who had another disappointing start on the right and appeared somewhat short of sharpness and pace before being replaced.
And Cody Gakpo toiled without much reward when again beginning down the centre of the attack before a more productive stint out on the left.
With Liverpool only four games into the nine they are scheduled to play this month, and Mohamed Salah likely to miss another two matches on Africa Cup of Nations duty, Slot is going to need all his attacking options.