Rio Ngumoha has been the media’s focus since Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest and Arne Slot has taken a protective stance over the 17-year-old.
Ngumoha made a big impact in Liverpool’s late, late win at the City Ground and that has led to calls from high-profile pundits for the winger to start more games.
Those included Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand, while former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge wrote on X: “Every time I watch Rio Ngumoha, he looks electric. Direct, fearless, always trying to affect the game.
“He deserves more minutes. Simple as that.”
The youngster was a big topic in Slot’s pre-West Ham press conference, with the head coach asked what Ngumoha needed to do to finally start in the Premier League.
“Another great example of how you can manipulate the data, only talking about Premier League games – not talking about FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League,” he responded.
Rio Ngumoha: Senior Stats 2025/26
Competition Apps Starts Minutes
Premier League 9 0 89
Champions League 2 0 39
FA Cup 2 1 86
Carabao Cup 2 2 161
Total 15 3 375
* Data accurate as of February 27, 2026 via Transfermarkt.
“So only taking that and saying ‘he only played 90 minutes [in the] Premier League‘, when I think if you want to be more realistic – or you just tell the truth – then you see that his playing time has improve massively over the last few weeks.
“There’s a reason for that, because he developed, he became a better player.
“I think it’s only very positive that people start to talk about him, because that tells you that he does really well.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Bournemouth won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I would love people to talk about all the players I have on the bench like that, because that would mean every time I bring them in they do really well.
“That’s something we like and that’s another example of a player that developed in the last six, seven or eight months towards a player people want to see more and more.
“And the same goes for me, because I play him more and more recently. That’s all due to the fact that he does well when he comes in.
“Of course the highlight was completely on his great one-vs-one action – and it should be, because I sat here many times saying how difficult it is to beat [players] one-on-one, and how important that is in football.
Rio Ngumoha vs. Mo Salah: Stats vs. Forest
Stat (via FotMob) Rio Ngumoha Mo Salah
Minutes Played 13 77
Successful Dribbles 2/3 (67%) 0 (0%)
Expected Assists (xA) 0.42 0.23
Touches in Opp. Box 1 2
Accurate Crosses 1/1 (100%) 0/4 (0%)
Chances Created 1 1
“But he had a few other moments in that game as well which we also talk about and maybe pundits don’t talk about that much.
“But that’s part of the development of a player and I really like where he’s at at the moment, where he is in his development.
“And I would be surprised, if he stays fit, if more minutes don’t come in the near future.”
Why Arne Slot is still keen to protect “special” Rio Ngumoha
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong celebrates with team-mate Rio Ngumoha (L) after scoring his side's second goal during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ngumoha is clearly a rare talent, with it not often a player so young is fast-tracked into Liverpool’s first-team squad, and a tribunal recently determined his 2024 move from Chelsea as being worth up to £6.8 million.
But as he continued, Slot praised the teenager’s attitude and explained why it was so important Liverpool remained cautious to “keep his special quality.”
“That’s something special. For a 17-year-old to be hyped like he is, he’s handling that situation really well,” he said.
“Not only now, but I think this is throughout his whole career; there’s been a lot of talk about him, because we can all see how special he is and his talent.
How much did Liverpool pay for Rio Ngumoha?
Transfer Fee £2.8 million
Add-Ons £4 million
Sell-On Clause 20% profit
Contract Expiry 2028
“So that’s a big compliment to him, but probably to his parents as well, who raised him, that he’s down-to-earth, works really hard, just keeps going and doesn’t lose his head because one or two pundits had a positive feedback about his game.
“That is something I think you also need if you want to make the next steps.
“Because if you already start to believe how special you are after one or two remarks from pundits, that’s probably not the way to become the player he wants to become.
“So he’s down-to-earth, works really hard, also understands which parts of the game he has to improve – which is even more normal for a 17-year-old.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026: Liverpool substitute Rio Ngumoha on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United FC at Anfield. The game ended in a goal-less draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“But we have to keep his special quality, and that’s beating players in one-vs-ones – and that’s not 10-out-of-10 times working and it doesn’t have to be.
“But you have to keep on trying, because there are not many players in modern football who can take on one-vs-ones on a regular basis and be successful and outplay their opponent a lot of times.
“So that is a quality that is special and that’s why we also want to take such good care of him, because we have a lot of belief in how special he is.”
The Big Debate
Should Rio Ngumoha be more than just an impact sub?
At just 17, Rio Ngumoha has already played more Premier League minutes than any other player his age this season. His recent 13-minute cameo at Nottingham Forest completely transformed the match, with Jamie Carragher insisting the winger “needs to be starting games” given the lack of pace and penetration in wide areas.
Have your say: Is it time to trust Ngumoha with Premier League starts, or is Slot right to keep his usage in check for the long term? Let us know in the comments!