Liverpool face West Ham on Saturday, and Arne Slot is expected to go against fan wishes again with Rio Ngumoha.
Caution is needed in this Premier League clash. West Ham have their backs against the wall as relegation looms, and they will be looking at every game as a cup final.
Slot won’t be doing a massive overhaul to the lineup that narrowly beat Nottingham Forest last weekend, but fans are calling for Ngumoha to start.
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Florian Wirtz form for Liverpool
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Paul Merson predicts a Liverpool win, but doesn’t think it’s time to give the 17-year-old his first Premier League start.
Paul Merson thinks Arne Slot will value experience over Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool have to win this game. There’s really no excuse.
While the Hammers are improving week by week, they are still one of the worst sides in the division.
It’s exactly the kind of game Liverpool have floundered in regularly this season, and that’s perhaps why Merson thinks Slot will go with someone more experienced.
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He writes for Sportskeeda: “I expect them to win here. There is a lot of talk about whether Rio Ngumoha should be starting games for Liverpool. It’s hard at the moment because of the position Liverpool find themselves in.”
Rio Ngumoha during Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
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“Ngumoha is a great talent and he has a bright future. But Liverpool’s Champions League qualification is on the line and they cannot afford to miss out on it. That’s why I think Arne Slot will stick to experience over youth.”
Merson’s point is that games like this are not ideal for giving youth a chance, and as much as I want to see Ngumoha start more, I have to agree.
As poor as West Ham are, they do have quality in certain areas. One such area is right-back, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
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Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo
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Described by some of the best wingers as a nightmare matchup, Wan-Bissaka’s reputation precedes him.
I have no doubt Ngumoha would relish the challenge, but if he’s kept quiet, it would feel like a wasted opportunity. Better to start him in a more open game against a less formidable defender, and let him show his ability.
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