Rio Ngumoha’s display in Liverpool’s win over Nottingham Forest should give Arne Slot the confidence to replace Curtis Jones.
Florian Wirtz withdrew from the matchday squad less than 15 minutes prior to kick-off on Sunday.
He was replaced in the XI by Curtis Jones, who started the fixture as the most advanced midfielder.
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Nottingham Forest v Liverpool - Premier League
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However, Jones drew the ire of Liverpool fans on the day, with many questioning why he was played as the 10 while Dominik Szoboszlai was stuck at right-back.
The midfielder was too slow on the ball, gave away possession a lot and allowed Nottingham Forest too many chances.
Jones’ inability to play quickly has been apparent for a while, as Jamie Carragher pointed out on Sky Sports during coverage of the game.
But with Wataru Endo injured, there has been very little cover for Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister other than the Englishman.
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Trey Nyoni ready to replace Curtis Jones
However, Rio Ngumoha’s showing should now give Slot the confidence he needs to replace Jones as the back-up option to Mac Allister and Gravenberch.
Jamie Carragher showered Ngumoha in praise when he was brought on, saying he did more than Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo against Forest.
Carragher is absolutely right, with the young winger causing the home side a lot of problems and nearly helping the Reds open the scoring with a dangerous run and cross into the box.
In turn, with Rio already proving he’s ready to step up in the Premier League, Slot now needs to hand Trey Nyoni more minutes in midfield.
Nyoni has impressed during his very brief cameo appearances in cup competitions this season, but he is yet to be given a proper chance in the league.
He is excellent on the ball and much faster than Jones when it comes to moving play on.
Slot’s use of Academy players has been criticised this season, but now Ngumoha has proven the youngsters are ready to step up, it seems obvious that Nyoni should be moved into the Jones role.
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Mohamed Salah shakes Arne Slot's hand as he comes off during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Creidt; Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Speaking after a sub appearance in the Champions League last month, Slot praised Nyoni and suggested he is close to first-team football.
He said: “I think Trey showed when he came in that he comes closer and closer to a situation where I can also bring him in.
“He’s developed really nicely in the last year, he gets closer and closer to coming in in moments that matter even more.
“And that is how things work with young players, you just make step after step after step until the manager trusts you enough to play you in difficult moments.
“That has already happened for Rio and Trey is really close to that moment.”
Well, after Jones was once again poor on Sunday, now seems like the best time to promote Nyoni into a more senior role.
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