Arne Slot and Liverpool are preparing for the biggest game of the season, taking on PSG at Anfield for a place in the Champions League semi-final.
It’s the final roll of the dice for the Reds in their quest to end the season with silverware, facing a two-goal deficit against the reigning European champions. Slot thinks Liverpool can mount a comeback, but how he sets up the team will be the decisive factor.
Ahead of the tie, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have fielded suggestions to the Dutchman. Their main point is one that has been echoed by fans ever since Saturday’s win over Fulham — it concerns Rio Ngumoha.
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Jeremie Frimpong takes throw-in for Liverpool in front of Arne Slot
Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer urge Slot to start Rio Ngumoha vs PSG
Liverpool fans have been hailing Ngumoha ever since his stellar performance against Fulham, where he scored a delightful goal and was instrumental in Liverpool’s positive attacking play.
Lineker and Shearer, speaking on The Rest Is Football, are as impressed as anyone. So much so, that they think Slot has to give him the nod for this high-stakes European clash.
Lineker says: “I think he has to start. I’d be very surprised if not. I mean, in the two times he has started, he’s been their best player. He looks, you know, that fearlessness of youth, incredible ability. I think the Liverpool fans have actually been calling out for him to start for quite some time now.
Rio Ngumoha scores for Liverpool v Fulham - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
“And you can understand with a young player if there’s a slight reluctance and you don’t want to give them too much too soon. But when they’re ready, they’re ready.”
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Trusting a 17-year-old on a stage this big is a gamble, but Ngumoha has given us no reason to doubt his readiness for the biggest stage.
Shearer echoes his co-host’s sentiment, remarking: “When he started him as he did yesterday and he performs like that, why would you then, I don’t know, I would definitely leave him in there.
“As I said, you can imagine the confidence and all of that that came with him yesterday and carry that forward, and they’re going to need all of that and more by the way on Tuesday. So, I mean, you’re talking about a different level of opponent who’s seen it all and done it all. But he’s fresh, and he’s raw, and why not leave him in?”
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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
The debate around Ngumoha as a starter has raged on all season, and will continue as such until he is a regular name on the teamsheet. Liverpool will need any X-factor they can find to produce what would be a sensational result.
The two former England stars see no reason not to take the chance. Whether Slot heeds that advice is another thing.
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