After Rio Ngumoha’s 70 minutes against Barnsley, Arne Slot shared his plans for the Liverpool youngster.
It was another solid display from the 17-year-old in Liverpool’s convincing 4-1 FA Cup win.
Ahead of Monday night’s clash, Slot voiced concerns about overworking Ngumoha, and his need to come off midway through the second half justifies his theory.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Into the fourth round with ease. Who stood out for you?
Florian Wirtz celebrates with Hugo Ekitike after scoring for Liverpool in the FA Cup against Barnsley at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Jan Kruger).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Jan Kruger
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Despite this, the Liverpool boss has plans for the pacey left-winger’s role to grow, which he laid out when speaking to the press.
Arne Slot wants Rio Ngumoha to be able to play 90 minutes
Ngumoha has played just 53 minutes of Premier League football this season.
He was called upon for most of Liverpool’s two League Cup games earlier in the season, but the 73 minutes against Barnsley was by far the most he has played since October.
On his needing to come off, Slot said in his press conference: “I assume and think and expect it’s cramp. So it tells you it tells Rio that I expect that a Premier League game is more intense than this one.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
“It’s very nice for him to again make 70 minutes, but it’s still very hard work to be ready for 90 in the Premier League.”
Rio Ngumoha and Jeremie Frimpong line up ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup tie against Barnsley at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
It won’t be easy for Ngumoha to reach and maintain that level of intensity, but that’s exactly what Slot wants to happen.
He continues: “It’s already great for him and for Liverpool that everybody is following us that a 17 year old makes so many minutes in a Liverpool shirt. So let’s hope he can continue and we can bring him further and further towards 90 minutes at Premier League.”
Many fans have doubted whether Slot wants to make the youngster a regular in his side, but it sounds like he is coming around to the idea.
Maybe that’s down to the club’s unwillingness to bring in another wide player this month, but whatever the case, we can expect more Rio minutes in the second half of the season.
Do you think it’s time for Arne Slot to start trusting Rio Ngumoha more?
Aldo reckons he would solve our predictability issue…
John Aldridge on Rio Ngumoha
John Aldridge on Rio Ngumoha
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Ngumoha showed his versatility against Barnsley
When changes were made on the hour mark, there were plenty of position changes in the attack.
Ngumoha moved out to the right with Cody Gakpo taking his place on the opposite flank.
We have to remember the standard of opposition, but he looked comfortable beating his man from that side as well. It offers another option for Slot in case more attackers miss time, and it gives the 17-year-old another avenue into the team.
Ngumoha needs to be unleashed for Liverpool. He’s a special talent, and he doesn’t look out of his depth against established defenders.
He may still be in the early stages of his time at Anfield, but the Premier League trend of trusting youth has paid off for the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal. Thankfully, it sounds like Slot is warming to the idea.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox