After Rio Ngumoha’s stellar bench appearance against Nottingham Forest, Daniel Sturridge has but one request for Arne Slot.
Neither Mo Salah nor Cody Gakpo made anywhere close to the impact that the 17-year-old did in his cameo at the City Ground.
Jamie Carragher was seriously impressed with Ngumoha on the right wing causing headaches to Neco Williams, who was having no issues with Salah all game.
Surely there’s no way back to Salah’s best from here?
A new record drought in the Premier League…
Mohamed Salah shakes Arne Slot's hand as he comes off during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Creidt; Getty Images/Liverpool FC
And another Liverpool icon, Sturridge, was equally struck by the teenager’s impact.
Daniel Sturridge urges Arne Slot to give minutes to Rio Ngumoha
It’s a motion that has been put forward by Liverpool fans all season, and now the ex-pros are jumping in.
Ngumoha might only be 17, but his talent is incredible.
He was instrumental to Alexis Mac Allister’s first late winner, which was unfortunately ruled out for striking his arm. In general, Ngumoha injected energy into the side and made sure no one was accepting the result.
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After the game, Sturridge was full of praise for the winger.
He posted on X: “Every time I watch Rio Ngumoha, he looks electric. Direct, fearless, always trying to affect the game.
Rio Ngumoha ahead of Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
“He deserves more minutes. Simple as that.”
It’s clearly not that simple to Slot, whose affiliation for Gakpo as a starter is growing tiresome.
Sure, Ngumoha is still extremely young, but you can’t tell me after watching that game that he would be a downgrade in the starting lineup.
Rio Ferdinand very impressed with the young Liverpool star
It’s not just former Liverpool stars who are singing the praises of Ngumoha.
Rio Ferdinand had just as much to say about the youngster’s quality.
He also took to X after the game to make a similar point to the coach about his namesake.
He writes: “Top drawer the kid Rio for LFC. Changed the game for them. A winger that wants to beat his man & deliver with a mix of speed & finesse.”
Change my mind Rio Ngumoha was Liverpool’s star man despite barely playing vs Forest
Can anyone take the MOM award off him? Have your say!
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
We can’t say enough about Ngumoha’s quality, and he gives the future of Liverpool a bright complexion. And not the distant future.
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