'Every time': Glen Johnson spotted Southampton coaches doing something interesting whenever Ngumoha got the ball

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Rio Ngumoha has been a surprise package for Liverpool this season.

In fact, Arne Slot was that impressed with him at the start of the season that he chose to register the youngster over Federico Chiesa for his Champions League squad.

Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Although he isn’t likely to start over Cody Gakpo all that much this season, the quality he showed at Anfield on Tuesday shows how much potential the youngster has to fulfil, with Southampton’s bench even celebrating when he didn’t choose to run down the byline.

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And, after the game had finished, Glen Johnson was speaking live on ITV Sport and said that the Saints’ bench actually celebrated when Ngumoha chose to run on the inside, rather than towards their full-back.

“You could see Liverpool were trying to get him the ball as quickly as possible, but Southampton were clearly aware of his ability because they tried to double up on him every time,” he said.

“When he did come inside, the bench were clapping and almost celebrating because he wasn’t driving at the full-back.

Every time he did, he beat them.

“He’s going to have to learn because people are going to be aware of his ability and will double up on him, and he’ll have to get used to it.

If he is positive and drives at people, he is going to be hard to stop.

“For a young kid to keep wanting the ball at home is great to see.”

It’s undeniable that Ngumoha is an exceptional talent and Liverpool are lucky to have him.