Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images
Rio Ngumoha gave another glimpse into his potential on Sunday as he produced an exciting cameo to help Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest.
The 17-year-old has been one of this season’s biggest talking points, with supporters desperate to see more of his burgeoning talents.
In a season littered with them, the lack of minutes for Ngumoha has been used as a stick to beat Arne Slot with.
Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
However, to his credit, the Liverpool head coach has stood firm in his view that the teenager should not be overloaded with first-team football.
Slot explained why Ngumoha is not playing more as the clamour to get him on the pitch reached peak levels on January 11th. Drawing on some recent tales of woe from Liverpool youngsters given too much too soon, the Dutchman said he does not want to see the Reds’ latest wonderkid go down the same path.
Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic offer Ngumoha warning
Slot’s reasoning for not giving Ngumoha more game time was made very clear as he spoke to the press in early January. The 47-year-old was actually asked about Jayden Danns, and used the injury-plagued striker as an example of why expectations should be managed over young players.
“If I’m correct, [Danns] is one of the players who got a stress fracture because he was young and, from what I’ve been told, was a bit overtrained.”
Rio Ngumoha crosses the ball while being challenged by Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams during the Premier League match with Liverpool at the City Ground.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
“That’s why we are so careful with Rio Ngumoha, that he’s two days a week off the pitch if that’s possible, to not have that same situation with him.”
Danns is still young enough to come back stronger, but there is no question that his development has been badly hindered. For Slot at least, the reason for that is being subjected to too much at such a young age.
The same can also be said for Stefan Bajcetic who, like Ngumoha, was 17 when first subjected to senior football under Jurgen Klopp. The Spaniard went on to become a regular for Liverpool during the 22/23 campaign, but has since badly struggled with recurring injury issues.
rIO nGUMOHA PLAYING FOR lIVERPOOL VS nOTTINGHAM FOREST
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Kaide Gordon is another example of a player with big prospects who simply could not recover from consistent fitness problems. That is not to say Ngumoha would suffer the same fate, and there are young players, such as Harvey Elliott, who have generally been fine after being exposed to the first-team so early on. But there is plenty of time for Rio to earn his stripes. What is the rush?
Steven Gerrard provides further proof for Reds fans
Going back further into Liverpool history, fans would do well to remember the troubles Steven Gerrard had when trying to bridge the gap from youth team to first-team football.
The Scouser had such severe growing pains that he almost never made it to being a professional. Had he been pushed hard to get back on the pitch, Liverpool may never have enjoyed arguably their greatest player of all-time.
Michael Owen provides another notable piece of proof that young footballers need protecting. The striker was sensational as a 17 and 18-year-old, and also took that into his early 20s. But by the time he was 25, Owen’s career virtually ground to a halt. Playing below the level expected of him, recurrent hamstring injuries meant he never got close to the levels of his early days at Liverpool.
Ngumoha will forge his own path in the game, but Slot has a responsibility to give him the best possible start. By protecting him from overuse, he is absolutely doing that and, as it means they could see the best of him for many more years to come, fans should get on board.