Liverpool supporters are desperate to see more of Rio Ngumoha this season, with Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Brighton potentially throwing up a good opportunity for that to happen.
Despite being extremely highly-rated, Arne Slot has been reluctant to overuse the former Chelsea youngster, meaning his game time has been limited.
Saturday could be a chance to bring Ngumoha into the starting XI, however, with Slot potentially rotating between Premier League matches.
Discuss: Jones’ Liverpool career is CLEARLY coming to an end if he doesn’t start vs Brighton
Curtis Jones in action during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Credit: Gaspafotos/MB Media/ Getty Images
If he does decide to bring some Liverpool academy players into the mix, Ngumoha is the outstanding candidate.
Despite being only 17, many Reds fans think the teenager has the potential to start even bigger games than the one on Saturday, and although former Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby says he does not agree with this stance, he does think Ngumoha should start against the Seagulls.
Brighton tie could be ideal for Rio Ngumoha
There has been a clamour amongst Liverpool supporters to see much more of Ngumoha in what has been a difficult campaign so far. According to Molby, though, the youngster is ‘100 per cent not ready’ to feature when it really matters.
“I am absolutely 100 per cent convinced that Rio Ngumoha is not ready to start Premier League games yet,” the Dane told Anfield Index. “But this is an FA Cup game and I think sometimes when you’ve been in and around the team for a while and what he’s experienced at the moment is frustration, training with the boys but not really being trusted. So, I think this would be a nice game to give it a go for him to almost take that next step.”
Rio Ngumoha and Arne Slot during FA Cup tie against Barnsley
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Trey Nyoni one of only three Liverpool youngsters who could play vs Brighton after Arne Slot update
“It might be a horrendous experience, a game where he can’t pull it together, but sometimes I think you need to go through that. I think he’s at that level now where you go ‘go on, let’s give him 60 or 70 minutes against Brighton, see what he can produce.’
“He might produce a couple of things that give him a bit of confidence, if not we can re-evaluate and go, ‘okay maybe we are where we thought we were.’
“But I think it would be a good idea, give him a run out, that’s what I would do. Gakpo could do with a rest, Mo [Salah] could even do with a rest, I’m not strong on Chiesa what he brings and there’s no real future in him, so Ngumoha would be the one I wouldn’t mind having a little look at him.”
Is winning the FA Cup enough to keep Arne Slot in a job beyond 2025/26? If not, why? 🤔
Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts The Emirates FA Cup trophy after their sides victory during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium
Photo by Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Will Ngumoha start against Brighton?
Molby will be far from alone in wanting to see Ngumoha on the teamsheet against Brighton. However, Slot has not often listened to calls from the outside to throw him in.
Nevertheless, there does feel to be a good chance that he gets his chance at Anfield on Saturday. At the very least he will surely come off the bench at some stage.
Given there are eight days between this game at the clash with Nottingham Forest, Slot may decide he wants to go as strong as possible here, though.
That would mean a place on the bench for Ngumoha which, despite Molby’s claims, would also be no bad thing.
It may go against popular thinking in the fanbase, but it is a fair comment that Ngumoha should be treated carefully in terms of Premier League action. With Saturday’s game being against a top division side, maybe a spot on the bench would be for the best.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox