Arne Slot Signals Bigger Role for Rio Ngumoha in Liverpool Run In | OneFootball

Arne Slot Backing Rio Ngumoha for Bigger Liverpool Role

Liverpool’s season has often hinged on fine margins, moments of incision in games that drift towards stalemate. In recent weeks, Arne Slot has begun to look towards youth for that spark, and Rio Ngumoha has emerged as the most compelling candidate.

The 17 year old winger has stirred excitement around Anfield after his lively cameo in the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Introduced first on the left and later switched to the right, Ngumoha brought urgency to a performance that had lacked invention. His willingness to attack defenders on the outside shifted the tempo, and his involvement in the move that led to Alexis Mac Allister’s disallowed goal underlined his instinct for decisive moments.

Growing Influence in Crucial Fixtures

Ngumoha has played 375 minutes this season, his workload managed with care. Yet his trajectory is unmistakable. Arne Slot has increased his involvement steadily, a reflection of trust earned on the training pitch and in match situations.

“His playing time has improved massively over the last few weeks and there is a reason for that, because he developed and became a better player,” Slot said.

Liverpool’s push for Champions League qualification demands variety in attack. With Florian Wirtz sidelined through injury against West Ham United, options become more precious. In Ngumoha, Slot sees a player capable of unsettling rigid defensive lines.

“It is only positive that people start to talk about him because that tells you he does really well,” he said. “That is something we like and it is another example of a player that is developing towards a player that people want to see.

“The same goes for me because I play him more and more. That is due to the fact that he does well when he comes in. The highlight is on his great one-v-one action, and it should be because I have sat here and spoken about how difficult it is to beat [someone] one-v-one.

Photo: IMAGO

“But he had a few other actions in that game that we talk about and where pundits maybe don’t talk about. That is part of the development of a player and I really like where he is at. I would be surprised, if he stayed fit, if not more minutes will come in the near future.”

Special Quality and Steady Development

For all the excitement, refinement remains essential. Off the ball work and composure in defensive areas are part of the education of any young winger. Slot, though, is confident that Ngumoha’s temperament will anchor his progress.

Liverpool were required to pay an initial £2.8 million, potentially rising to £4 million, to secure his move from Chelsea in 2024. Such figures can distort perspective, yet Slot believes the player is grounded.

“He is handling that situation really well, which is a big compliment to him but also his parents, who raised him that he is down to earth, works hard, just keeps going and doesn’t lose his head because a few pundits have given feedback about his game,” Slot said.

“That is something you need if you want to make the next step because if you start believing how special you are after a few comments from pundits, that is probably not the way to become the player he wants to become.

“But we have to keep his special quality and that is beating players in one-v-one. That is not working ten out of ten times, and it doesn’t have to be, but he has to keep on trying.

“There are not many players that can take on one-v-ones on a regular basis and be successful and beat their opponents a lot of times. That is a quality that is special and that is why we want to take such good care of him because we have a lot of ­belief in how special he is.”

For Arne Slot, nurturing Rio Ngumoha’s daring may yet prove decisive in Liverpool’s closing stretch.