The clamour for Rio Ngumoha to become Liverpool’s new starting left winger grew louder on Saturday after the youngster turned in an eye-catching England debut.
Coming on at half-time, Ngumoha was arguably England’s best player, showcasing the one-v-one ability which has quickly made him a huge fan favourite amongst Liverpool supporters.
Although the 17-year-old played on the right for the Three Lions, his best position is surely still on the left of the attack. Liverpool see top target Yan Diomande as a right forward, and fans will be salivating at the thought of Ngumoha on one wing and Diomande on the other.
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However, while the former Chelsea prospect is making a brilliant case to step into what is really a vacant role in the Reds’ regular starting XI, Andoni Iraola must resist the urge to start him week-in, week-out.
Though Ngumoha may be good enough to do that, he is still so young. Liverpool must protect his development and avoid handing him too much, too young.
Ngumoha can rotate on Liverpool’s left
Although logic dictates that holding Ngumoha back a little is the right decision here, that would still require Liverpool to make a big call on who he rotates with.
Rotating between Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo again would be a risky strategy, although there is an argument that with the youngster developing all the time, doing this would be far more effective than during 2025/26.
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Ngumoha could also take the lead, starting more games than Gakpo, who has already shown that he can be effective as a back-up left winger.
Most fans would prefer to see a fresh face brought in, though, but Liverpool will have to be careful with who this is.
They would have to be good enough to start plenty of matches, but not to the point where they would block Ngumoha from eventually taking over the spot.
Depending on how things go, that could be during the later stages of next season, or perhaps for the start of the 2027/28 campaign.
Either way, the expectation should be that Ngumoha is the long-term option for Liverpool, it just does not need to be immediately. Give him that weight of expectation and place the physical toll of playing every week on such young shoulders, and he could easily break down, damaging his long-term goals. Liverpool have to be careful. Arne Slot knew it, hopefully Iraola does too.
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Because Ngumoha should be slated for a starting role in nine to 18 months, it is exceptionally difficult for Liverpool to get their next move right on the left wing.
Given the difficulties in acquiring the right profile, we would not be at all surprised to see Gakpo go into next season as the primary left winger once again.
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Although this would probably annoy supporters, the hope would be that Ngumoha could then be given enough space and rest to hit peak form towards the mid to back end of the campaign.
He could then transition over from Gakpo, before the Dutchman is reduced to a full-time back-up role.
Alternatively, Liverpool could go all out and get themselves someone like Bradley Barcola, who would be a clear starter ahead of both Ngumoha and Gakpo.
In that scenario, though, you run the risk of Barcola fully blocking Ngumoha for years to come.
This is a pivotal moment in Rio’s young career, and while the noise from the outside is set to grow louder than ever, Liverpool must put faith in the plan which has brought them to this point, and continue to keep their eyes on the long-term. It will pay off eventually.
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