Steven Gerrard has heaped praise on one Liverpool star after his performance in midweek.placeholder image
Steven Gerrard has heaped praise on one Liverpool star after his performance in midweek. | Getty Images
Liverpool fans have been crying out for some inspiration all season and Steven Gerrard agrees with who could provide it.
If there is one thing that Arne Slot could do to get Liverpool fans off his back for a short while at least, it would be to give Rio Ngumoha a run in the starting XI to the end of the season.
The 17-year old was, arguably, the player who impressed the most in pre-season fixtures before rarely seeing any competitive action at all once the season kicked off. Even after his dramatic late winner against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, Slot refused to turn to the teenage winger. Considering the manager has spent much of the campaign complaining about not having someone who can create something out of nothing or who has a bit of magic in their game, it makes the decision to leave the former Chelsea academy kid on the bench most weeks even more bizarre.
Rio Ngumoha must start - Gerrard
According to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard on TNT Sports though, Slot doesn’t have a choice anymore: “He 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 to start now. He’s got to start the kid on Friday night [in the FA Cup].”
Not many people would argue with Gerrard about the lack of creativity in the final third with Gakpo never being the sort of player who can open up defences on his own or cause panic when one v one with his opposite number. In fact, the Netherlands has become worryingly predictable and one dimensional when it comes to his ball carrying to the extent that any interest in his services should be listened to.
Gerrard sets Liverpool demand for the rest of the season
The legendary Anfield icon also explained what Slot should be aiming for over the remaining weeks and months of the season: “The three targets are going to be securing top four again for Champions League for next season and trying to go all the way in the other two competitions,’ Gerrard said.
As a player who never gave anything than 100%, Gerrard was also clearly annoyed at what he perceived was a lack of effort from those in red: “The first half [against Wolves] was a complete waste from a Liverpool point of view. No urgency, no ball speed change when you got into the final third of the pitch, there wasn’t much quality or penetration.
“The other thing is they’ve got to stop conceding really poor goals. It was a basic ball up to a target man, a focal point, you’ve got a two versus one that’s got to be dealt with then you’ve got the chance to make a last-ditch tackle that they don’t make.
“Then the second goal is a poor clearance from the goalkeeper and there’s no reaction. Liverpool have got three players around that could’ve reacted a lot quicker to stop it before it becomes a shot on goal. They’re two really poor goals. If they want to progress in the FA Cup, they have to defend a lot better, they can’t just blame, ‘oh, we didn’t create enough in the final third’, you’ve got to stop conceding goals the other way. They’re much improved lately, they’ve missed a big opportunity tonight.”
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