Teenage star Rio Ngumoha will be eyeing a starting place in Arne Slot's first XI after impressing against Nottingham Forest last weekend
Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha looks on before the match during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at City Ground on February 22, 2026 in Nottingham, United Kingdom
Rio Ngumoha has had to be patient for his chances with Liverpool this season(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha will be aiming for a place in the starting line-up against West Ham United this weekend. The 17-year-old has caught the eye when given opportunities this season.
Ngumoha proved decisive in Liverpool's victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The teenager has provided Liverpool with some desperately needed speed and skill this campaign, particularly with his remarkable stoppage-time winner against Newcastle United earlier in the season.
The youngster has responded after Arne Slot discussed his display at the City Ground, whilst Liverpool have been advised who to sign should they need to replace a club legend. The ECHO examines today's Liverpool developments more closely.
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Rio Ngumoha responds to Slot
Ngumoha has delivered his first interview mere days after Reds manager Slot suggested the winger was growing "stronger" but required numerous qualities to succeed at the elite level of football.
Reflecting on his lively appearance against Forest, Ngumoha emphasised he was prepared to buckle down and contribute everything he had.
"I just try to help the team," he said. "It's all I can do. I just put balls into the box whenever the manager needs me. I just need to provide everything I can give and just keep going on.
"I think it has gone really well, you know. I am learning a lot every day and playing with and training with some of the best players in the world.
"I can't ask for much more as a young kid. So I just think I need to carry on proving, working hard in training and showing what I can do to the manager. The manager is very important to me and he gives me a lot, I would say. After training, he always gives me the right things.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool applauds the Liverpool fans after the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha has impressed this season(Image: Getty Images)
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"We always have a meeting and he tells me how well I am doing and he just shows me certain clips of training. All of the staff here are very important and they are helpful."
Commenting on Ngumoha's qualities, Slot said: "He gets stronger and stronger. Apart from his moment when he had his one-v-one, there were also one or two other moments where he stands his ground.
"That is what you need because you face 25, 26, 27, 28-year-old athletes mainly as your opponents because we are a bit of an exception in terms of our age group of players. Most teams have players of different ages and physicality. But as we all know, talent is only the start of his career, you need so many other things."
Three-man shortlist to replace Mo Salah
Mohamed Salah's future at Liverpool has been the subject of considerable speculation of late. The Egyptian forward put pen to paper on a new deal last April, yet there are compelling indications he could depart Anfield when the season concludes.
Salah's contract extends until the summer of 2027, and rumours of a potential switch to Saudi Arabia continue to persist. Former Reds frontman Emile Heskey has suggested that Paris Saint-Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, West Ham's Jarrod Bowen and AC Milan's Christian Pulisic should all be considered as potential successors to Salah.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal
Liverpool have been told to target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Image: 2025 James Gill - Danehouse)
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"We're talking about replacing Mohamed Salah and I think as fans you've got to look at something different because you can't replace Mo Salah," Heskey said in an interview with OLBG.
"I do like the lad from PSG, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He would be my go-to. Would Jarrod Bowen be a downgrade from Mohamed Salah?
"I think most players are a downgrade compared to Salah but to be honest with you Bowen is a different type of player and he would probably help the formation because he's going to work a little bit harder than Mo.
West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen celebrates after beating Spurs
West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen celebrates after beating Spurs
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"I actually quite like Christian Pulisic. He is very direct. He probably didn't get as many goals as I would have liked him to get at Chelsea but I thought he gave defences problems. Obviously after a good World Cup, being at home with the pressure on him, he is definitely someone who could offer something different to Mohamed Salah or even Cody Gakpo right now.
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"Mo left Chelsea to go to Italy and look at what he's done for Liverpool. I think it'd be great to see someone like Pulisic come back into the Premier League in the same way.