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Arne Slot urged to make Rio Ngumoha decision after clear Steven Gerrard Liverpool message
Mar 09 2026 21:10 · By Mark Wakefield · 7 Reads
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Arne Slot has received advice from former Premier League star Joe Cole regarding why he ought to give Rio Ngumoha more regular starting opportunities for Liverpool going forward. The Reds are currently gearing up to face Galatasaray in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League .
Ngumoha was awarded a start for Liverpool in their 3-1 triumph over Wolves in the FA Cup at Molineux last Friday evening, where he delivered an outstanding performance for the Reds.
The youngster has been consistently earmarked for increased playing time for Liverpool this campaign, especially following his notable substitute appearances in the Premier League .
Ngumoha has managed 18 appearances so far this season across all competitions, comprising 11 in the Premier League and two in the Champions League.
The 17-year-old came on as a substitute during the victories over Atletico Madrid and Qarabag throughout the league phase of the tournament, and remained an unused substitute for the remaining six fixtures, reports the Liverpool Echo .
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With a Champions League challenge looming this week and additional Premier League encounters ahead, alongside an FA Cup quarter-final, Cole - who chalked up 42 appearances for the Reds from 2010-13 - has urged Slot to provide more chances to Ngumoha.
“I would definitely start him [going forward],” Cole told Paddy Power. “What he gives you is powerful dribbling, that sort of asterisk that somebody is a little bit different, a little bit of a maverick.
“Liverpool, particularly with Salah at the moment not being as explosive as he once was, they need that in the front three.
“What an opportunity for him. Go and stake your claim. They could really do with a young player really emerging and forcing his way into the starting line-up. He’s got so much talent, this kid.”
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Cole's comments arrive days after Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard similarly outlined why Ngumoha deserved a place in the Reds' starting XI.
Gerrard was commenting following Liverpool's defeat to Wolves in the Premier League last week, which occurred just three days prior to Ngumoha starting at the same stadium in an FA Cup triumph.
"[Slot] has to start Ngumoha now,” Gerrard told TNT Sports on March 3.
"He [Slot] has to start him [Ngumoha] because he's coming on and he's doing more in a short cameo in a short space of time than [Cody] Gakpo's doing in 65, 70 minutes. He deserves to start now."
Following their Champions League clash with Galatasaray, Liverpool return to Premier League duties at the weekend when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur, who are also competing in Europe midweek as they travel to face Atletico Madrid.
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