Ngumoha is not the only young Liverpool attacker fans should look out for in the Carabao Cup third round - opinion
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Liverpool will play Championship side Southampton in the third round of this season’s Carabao Cup.
The Reds have a good recent record in the competition having made it to the final in each of the last two campaigns, winning once.
On Wednesday, it was decided that their journey this time will begin at Anfield, with the Saints visiting in the week beginning September 22nd.
Traditionally, the third round of the Carabao Cup is a time for the Liverpool manager to experiment with playing some more fringe players in the team, even throwing in some youngsters.
For Arne Slot, that may be a necessity this season, with Liverpool struggling for senior numbers in attack especially.
Slot’s lack of depth was shown in glorious fashion on Monday, with Rio Ngumoha coming off the bench to score in the Premier League against Newcastle.
But while Ngumoha is almost certain to start the clash with Southampton, he may not be the only young forward on the teamsheet.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
For the time being, Slot has only four natural, senior attacking options in the Liverpool squad.
Assuming the Dutchman will rest his three regular starters: Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo, that will leave space for Federico Chiesa to start through the middle.
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Having scored a late winner against Bournemouth and made an impact at Newcastle, Chiesa deserves the chance to make a rare start.
However, that leaves spaces up for grabs out wide, and while Ngumoha will be expected to take one, that could leave another Liverpool academy star in the other.
READ MORE: Brighton youngster announced himself as one to watch for Liverpool after Carabao Cup heroics
Trent Kone-Doherty has gone a little under the radar since his arrival at the club in 2022.
But having made steady progress through the ranks, he looks ready to be given a run in the Carabao Cup.
Kone-Doherty may still leave on loan before transfer deadline day.
If he is still at the club on September the 2nd, though, he will be a big candidate to feature against Southampton.
Although there are unlikely to be any further youngsters in the attacking three from the start, Slot has the option to throw a couple more on from the bench as well.
Josh Sonni-Lambie has started the season well in the Liverpool academy and looks like a striker with a big future ahead of him.
Jayden Danns is of course next in line from a striker’s point of view, and the 19-year-old is likely to get some minutes against Southampton.
But if, for whatever reason, Danns is not available, Sonni-Lambie could get the nod.
So too might Keyrol Figueroa, who is another to have started the season promisingly.