Liverpool have a huge Carabao Cup test against Chelsea on Wednesday, and there is one decision I really want Andoni Iraola to get right.
Rio Ngumoha has to start.
I was disappointed to see the teenager left on the bench against Brighton on Sunday. Liverpool got the job done with a 2-0 win at Anfield, but I still believe Ngumoha deserved an opportunity from the beginning, especially after the impression he made against Villarreal in the Champions League.
Now Chelsea are coming to Anfield, and I hope Iraola gives the youngster the chance to show what he can do.
Ngumoha Has Already Shown He Can Make Things Happen
Ngumoha was outstanding against Villarreal, producing two assists and giving Liverpool a real attacking threat with his direct running, confidence and willingness to take defenders on.
That is exactly what I want to see from a young winger.
He does not look afraid to receive the ball, run at an opponent and try something different. Too often, Liverpool can become predictable when attacking, moving the ball around without finding that moment of individual quality to unlock a defence.
Ngumoha offers something different.
He has the pace to stretch the opposition, the confidence to attack space and the ability to make defenders uncomfortable. Even when a move does not come off, he is prepared to keep trying.
For me, those qualities make him a serious option for Wednesday night.
Why Was He Left on the Bench Against Brighton?
I understand that Iraola has a demanding schedule to manage and that Liverpool needed to secure three points against Brighton. The 2-0 victory was important, particularly after the pressure the team faced in the second half.
But I still questioned the decision to leave Ngumoha out of the starting eleven.
Cody Gakpo worked hard against Brighton, but I wanted to see more end product from him. Liverpool need their wide players to turn promising positions into genuine danger, and there have been times recently when the final decision has let them down.
Ngumoha has earned his chance through his performances. He should not be expected to deliver two assists in every game, but he deserves the opportunity to build on the confidence he showed against Villarreal.
Coming off the bench for limited minutes is not the same as being trusted to start a match.
If Liverpool believe Ngumoha is good enough to make a difference at this level, then there has to be a point when they give him that responsibility.
Wednesday night feels like the right opportunity.
Chelsea Could Be the Perfect Test for Ngumoha
A Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea is a big occasion, but it is also the sort of match in which Liverpool need their squad players to step up.
I expect Iraola to make changes, particularly with Arsenal visiting Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday. Liverpool cannot afford to run the same players into the ground when the fixtures are coming thick and fast.
That should create an opportunity for Ngumoha.
His direct style could be particularly useful against Chelsea. If he can isolate a full-back, attack the space and force defenders to make decisions, Liverpool could create opportunities that might otherwise be missing.
He would also give the team another way of attacking. Rather than relying entirely on intricate passing, Liverpool could use his pace and dribbling to get forward quickly and put Chelsea under pressure.
Of course, starting him would not guarantee a brilliant performance. He is still young, and there will be difficult moments as he learns the game. But young players develop by playing, not by spending every important match waiting for an opportunity from the bench.
Liverpool Need to Trust Their Young Talent
One of the most exciting things about Ngumoha is that he plays with freedom.
He wants the ball. He wants to take players on. He wants to make something happen.
That is not something Liverpool should coach out of him. It is something they should encourage while helping him understand when to take risks and when to keep possession.
Iraola has spoken about the importance of his players contributing when they come into the side. This is a chance to put that into practice and show that performances are rewarded.
Ngumoha has given Liverpool reasons to believe he can contribute. His display against Villarreal was not just about the two assists; it was the confidence and attacking intent he brought to the team.
Liverpool need competition for places, and that means established players cannot simply expect to start every game regardless of their form.
If Ngumoha is performing better and offering a different threat, he should be considered seriously for a starting position.
The Arsenal Game Matters, But Chelsea Matters Too
There will understandably be one eye on Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Arsenal. That is a massive game, and Liverpool will need their strongest available team ready for it.
However, that should not mean treating the Chelsea tie as an inconvenience.
Liverpool are a club that should be aiming to compete for trophies, and the Carabao Cup represents a genuine opportunity to win silverware. A good performance against Chelsea could also give players who have not featured as regularly a valuable confidence boost.
Ngumoha starting would make sense on both fronts. It would give him important minutes while potentially allowing other attacking players to be rested or used differently.
And if the youngster takes his opportunity, Iraola could have another option to call upon as the season progresses.
That would be a positive outcome for Liverpool.
My Verdict: Start Ngumoha Against Chelsea!
I am not suggesting that Rio Ngumoha should automatically start every Liverpool match. He is still developing, and there will be games when the manager decides another option is better suited to the opposition.
But after his performance against Villarreal, I believe he has earned a start against Chelsea.
Leaving him on the bench against Brighton was disappointing, and I do not want to see another opportunity pass him by when he has shown what he can offer.
Liverpool need pace, creativity and players prepared to take defenders on. Ngumoha brings all three, along with the confidence and fearlessness that make him such an exciting prospect.
Iraola has a big decision to make, but for me, it should be a straightforward one.
Start Rio Ngumoha against Chelsea. Give him the minutes, trust his ability and let him show Liverpool supporters what he can do.
The teenager has already given us a glimpse of his potential. Now I want to see him given the chance to make his mark from the first whistle at Anfield.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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