In the aftermath of Liverpool’s win over Forest, fans have been calling for Rio Ngumoha to get the chance he deserves.
Liverpool could have easily dropped valuable points at the City Ground on Sunday.
Arne Slot thought a draw was the fair result, but some late heroics from Alexis Mac Allister stole the win for the Reds.
It was a flat, lethargic attacking performance until Ngumoha came on for Liverpool and gave the front line some much-needed energy.
Pick the more underrated Liverpool legend – Roberto Firmino or Jordan Henderson?
He was super impactful in his brief appearance, and since then, there has been but one resounding message from the Anfield faithful.
Liverpool fans urge Arne Slot to trust Rio Ngumoha
After the game, we posed a question to fans on Rousing The Kop’s TalkingPoints platform, as to whether there was a better player on the day than the young star.
The first response, and a popular one, was: “Yep, his best performance for us by an absolute mile. Fair play to him, the only one who looked like he believed we could win it.”
And this fan adds on: “He looks so comfortable on both wings as well.”
There were fewer fans wanting to celebrate his performance than there were those who just wanted to give Slot a piece of their mind.
Like this fan, who wrote: “Slot has to give Rio game time let him replace Salah as he did more in a few minutes than Salah did in 80.”
Similarly: “”Ngumoha needs to be starting games instead of Cody Gakpo as he is burned out and does nothing for the team going forward.”
Ngumoha can play on both Liverpool wings, which in theory makes it more likely for him to get minutes. But it hasn’t happened.
To the frustration of this fan: “I can’t, it’s insane for all the talent Liverpool have going forward, it was a 17-year-old that made the difference. One to watch for sure going forward.”
Another Slot doubter says: “That’s twice in limited minutes this season he’s won us a game but god forbid we try use him more.”
Development requires minutes, and while Ngumoha is still extremely young, he is good enough to get experience under his belt at the senior level.
The Ethan Nwaneri lesson for Liverpool
Back in January, Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri left the Emirates in search of more playing time.
He went to Marseille on loan shortly before Roberto De Zerbi’s departure.
CHANGE MY MIND: Rio Ngumoha needs to go out on loan next season ✈️
Where would be the ideal destination?
But that’s a decision Mikel Arteta may already be ruing. The title race is very much real, and while Arsenal have been the best team in the league, they have been far from the best attacking side.
Having someone like Nwaneri — or Ngumoha for that matter — to call upon when you need a moment of magic is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
There’s no saying whether Slot will heed the advice of fans with the 17-year-old, but even if he doesn’t, it feels like loaning away a player of that unique quality could come back to bite Liverpool.
Just like it could come back to bite Arsenal.
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