Rio Ngumoha shared details of his behind-the-scenes relationship with Arne Slot, and it’s exactly what Liverpool fans wanted to hear.
After watching a stellar substitute performance at the weekend, Liverpool fans want Ngumoha to start moving forward.
The 17-year-old has shown flashes of exactly the kind of wing play the Reds have been lacking this season. Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah have not been as impressive.
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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
Ngumoha spoke to Lewis Steele about the conversations he has with the Liverpool boss, and how eager he is to be on the pitch.
Arne Slot’s words of encouragement to Rio Ngumoha a promising sign
Slot has made it clear that while he values Ngumoha’s talent, his youth and inexperience mean he won’t be the first name on the team sheet for quite some time.
But we want to see more of him.
Ngumoha wants a larger role too, but he isn’t taking issue with the manager just yet.
He told the Daily Mail: “If you’re not playing as much, then you kind of stagnate. To gain minutes, whether with the Under 21s or 18s, if I am still available to play, I would play.
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
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“The manager is very important to me and he helps me a lot. We might have a meeting after training, he tells me how well I am doing, saying ‘keep going’, showing me clips. All that is important and helpful.”
Slot is happy with Ngumoha’s progress, and is taking the time to help with his development.
It has looked all season like he has no interest in taking Gakpo out of the side, but these words of encouragement suggest that stance could change.
Rio Ngumoha could be put on the Phil Foden path
With senior minutes mostly eluding Ngumoha, there have been conversations in the fanbase about a possible loan move.
Ngumoha will be an elite Premier League player, but only if he has the chance to develop as such.
CHANGE MY MIND: Rio Ngumoha needs to go out on loan next season ✈️
Where would be the ideal destination?
Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
That’s why a loan is tempting, but there is a recent example from Pep Guardiola that offers a good counter-argument.
Phil Foden was seen in a similar light as a teenager and fans at the Etihad were having similar conversations to the ones happening at Liverpool now.
Guardiola said Foden was the best teenager he has seen since Messi — a way of justifying keeping him at the club for his formative years.
It absolutely paid off, but only because he was gradually given more responsibility. That’s what Slot needs to do, and it sounds like he is on that line of thinking.
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