Jamie Carragher expressed frustration at Arne Slot for not giving a key Liverpool star enough playing time this season, questioning the manager’s rotation choices
17:22, 22 Feb 2026
Jamie Carragher wants to see Rio Ngumoha get more minutes at Liverpool
Jamie Carragher wants to see Rio Ngumoha get more minutes at Liverpool(Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
Jamie Carragher has voiced frustration at Arne Slot, claiming that Rio Ngumoha is not receiving enough playing time.
Ngumoha helped inject fresh energy in Liverpool’s dramatic late win at Nottingham Forest, swinging momentum when Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah had struggled to make an impact on the wings. One of the key issues under Slot this season has been the lack of competition within the squad, which can create a sense of security for players whose starting spots feel unthreatened.
Gakpo, for example, has seen his level drop in the absence of Luis Diaz, while Slot’s reluctance to rotate in Ngumoha has effectively guaranteed the Dutchman a regular starting place.
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Speaking shortly after the full-time whistle, Carragher was adamant that the 17-year-old winger deserved more game time than he's been given so far this season.
"That's one of the biggest robberies I've seen in the Premier League this season," Carragher told Sky Sports. "Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah and Gakpo did before that. He changed the game and needs to be starting games.
"There's no one better in getting last-minute winners in Premier League - and that is Liverpool."
Rio Ngumoha injected pace into Arne Slot's side against Forest
Rio Ngumoha injected pace into Arne Slot's side against Forest(Image: Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister's goal against Forest was Liverpool's second-latest winner in the Premier League this season after Rio Ngumoha's 110th-minute strike to beat Newcastle back in August.
On Ngumoha's cameo Slot said: "The first goal that was disallowed was mainly because of him - and a great cross for Hugo and normally you would expect that to be a goal. Especially for Hugo, as he's such a good finisher.
"A good action of him and one-v-one. It was what this game needed. Either a set piece or a moment like this.
"That's why I brought him on. First off the left, where there was not a lot of involvement. Then off the right, where there was much more involvement.
"He already plays a big part for a 17-year-old. Tell me, wherever in the Premier League a player has had so many minutes.
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"That tells you what kind of a talent he is, and how much we appreciate him."
Liverpool.com says: The calls for Rio Ngumoha to feature more prominently will only intensify after he injected much-needed direction, pace, and energy when Liverpool needed it most.
Whether Slot acts on that remains uncertain, but it’s a reminder that rewarding strong performances and embracing change is essential for building a successful team.