'Let's be clear' - Arne Slot refusing to rush Rio Ngumoha into starting XI
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Jamie Carragher wants to see Rio Ngumoha given a chance in Liverpool's starting XI, but Arne Slot is expected to keep the talented 17-year-old winger on the benchArne Slot has made his feelings clear(Image: Getty Images)Arne Slot is still reluctant to start Rio Ngumoha - despite the youngster's outstanding display against Nottingham Forest.Ngumoha, 17, came off the bench to inspire Liverpool to a 1-0 Premier League victory at the City Ground last weekend. Reds legend Jamie Carragher declared that Ngumoha "needs to be starting games" after watching his heroics - but Slot doesn't see it that way."Let’s be clear, he is a special player that will have more playing time and already has more playing time recently," Slot told reporters on Friday.
"If everyone thinks he is so good, then he should be in something to talk about again.READ MORE: Liverpool injury boost is coming - and it's perfect timing for Arne SlotREAD MORE: Liverpool told how Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will react to Rio Ngumoha emergence"If he is already good enough to play for us, then he should definitely be, in your opinion."Slot said he was "100 percent" mindful of Ngumoha's lack of minutes for Liverpool's U21s this season. He added: "That is what makes it so difficult at the age of these two players (Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni) and where they are at in their development."(They are) good enough to come in or to play for us, to be on the bench, (with) our squad not being big enough.Rio Ngumoha impressed last weekend(Image: Getty Images)"So we always need them on the bench, and that also means that if you look at his playing time and Trey’s playing time, overall, that has not been enough to develop a player ideally in a better way."But that is the downside of having injuries, the downside of they are a bit too good (for the U21s)."Because it would be better for a 17, 18-year-old, because no one talks about Trey, which is correct because Rio had his special moment, but Trey's development is just as interesting in my opinion."That is the difficult balance for me to find."While Nyoni, 18, is viewed as a highly-rated prospect, it's Ngumoha who looks ready for Premier League soccer.
James' Park last August.Yet Ngumoha has played just 89 minutes of Premier League soccer this season, leading to frustration among Liverpool fans.Slot, however, continues to defend his stance. He added: "Let’s say they play tonight, for the U21s.