Rio Ngumoha was one of Liverpool’s best performers against Wolverhampton Wanderers after coming off the bench, in the eyes of Steven Gerrard.
Arne Slot’s men fell to a harrowing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Championship-bound Wolves on Tuesday.
As has so often been the case this season, there was little for fans to get excited by, but the form of Rio Ngumoha is certainly a positive.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images
Steven Gerrard tells Arne Slot to start Rio Ngumoha because he does more than Cody Gakpo
After watching the 17-year-old be denied by a superb save from Jose Sa, Liverpool fans demanded Slot start Ngumoha more.
Now, speaking live on TNT Sports in the aftermath of the fixture, former Red Steven Gerrard has issued a similar verdict.
He told Slot that Ngumoha must be in the XI against Wolves when the pair face off in the FA Cup on Friday, making it clear that the Academy product does more than Cody Gakpo every game despite the Dutchman playing more.
Gerrard said: “For 65 minutes [before Rio was brought on], Liverpool were desperate tonight. Didn’t create enough, they didn’t play at the right speed or tempo, they didn’t have enough quality.
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“He [Slot] has to start Ngumoha now, he has to start him because he’s coming on and he’s doing more in a short cameo, in a short space of time than Gakpo’s doing in 65-70 minutes. He deserves a start now. You’ve got to start the kid on Friday night.”
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Trey Nyoni in action during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park
Credit: George Wood/Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images
Rio Ngumoha is creating more chances than any other Liverpool player
It is really hard to argue with both fans and Gerrard’s view that Ngumoha should be starting more this season.
In the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Dominik Szoboszlai has created the most chances for Liverpool (56, 2.1 per 90).
Florian Wirtz is second (44, 2.1 per 90), followed by Mohamed Salah (42, 2.1 per 90).
Ngumoha is quite far down the list, creating nine, but you must take into account that he’s played less than 180 minutes worth of football this season, meaning he has so far averaged a staggering 6.3 chances created per 90.
That is the highest of any Liverpool player who has played at least 90 minutes in the top flight this term.
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