Rio Ngumoha puts his name in lights on Saturday after scoring for Liverpool against Fulham, with Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy joining his growing list of admirers.
Hailing the teenager while reviewing Liverpool‘s win for Match of the Day, the two pundits gave their views on whether he should be in line for another start in midweek against Paris Saint-Germain.
Though it would be a big game to throw such a young player into, both Shearer and Murphy think Arne Slot has little choice but to play Ngumoha again.
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Rio Ngumoha celebrates after scoring for Liverpool during their Premier League match against Fulham at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/ANDY BUCHANAN /AFP).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Andy Buchanan/AFP
Shearer and Murphy think Ngumoha should start vs PSG
With Liverpool needing at least two goals against PSG, there is certainly a strong argument for Ngumoha to be in the starting XI.
Shearer certainly thinks so, claiming that the confidence of scoring his first Anfield goal should see the 17-year-old go up against the European champions.
“I would start him because he brings an energy and a freshness to Liverpool and I think that’s one of the things that have been desperately missing for Liverpool,” he said. “With that performance today, the confidence that will give him, why not chuck him in.”
Murphy was equally insistent, urging Slot to go bold and keep Ngumoha in the team.
Rio Ngumoha celebrates after scoring for Liverpool during their Premier League match against Fulham at Anfield
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
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“I think he should start, personally,” said the former Liverpool midfielder.
“I think 99.9% of Liverpool fans want to see him Tuesday night, because this is a massive game for Liverpool and he can make things happen.”
Murphy thinks Slot might actually start Ngumoha
Saturday’s match has certainly strengthened Ngumoha’s case to be named in the XI to face PSG, but it still feels more likely that Slot will keep him back for an impact appearance from the bench.
According to Murphy, though, the Liverpool head coach dropped a hint during his post-match press conference on Saturday which means he could decide to listen to the fans and put the former Chelsea prospect back in.
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Jeremie Frimpong takes throw-in for Liverpool in front of Arne Slot
Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
“I would’ve said no [Slot won’t start Ngumoha] before I saw some of his quotes after the game where he’s talking about now he’s ready to play in any game,” he said. “So, he might.
“I think he’ll err on the side of caution and go with somebody else. The big thing for me is because Hakimi goes wandering and just plays his own game, why not leave him out there on the left. Because if there’s a transition he’s perfect because he’s so direct and so dynamic.”
With Slot claiming that he now sees Ngumoha as just another member of his squad and not a very young player learning on the job, there is a small chance that he does pick him again.
The more likely scenario is that either Gakpo or Wirtz starts out on the left, but Slot has the chance to earn the goodwill of the Anfield crowd by naming Ngumoha in his team. He should take it.
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