Arne Slot has already hinted at Rio Ngumoha plan vs Galatasaray, and Liverpool fans won't be happy - opinion
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Liverpool fans should not expect to see Rio Ngumoha named in the XI for this week’s Champions League meeting with Galatasaray.Ngumoha was the best player in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon, impressing in what was his first Premier League start for the club.Spurs was the first of three games Liverpool are playing in the space of six days, and Slot has already suggested the teenager would only be in the XI for one of those matches. Is the famous Anfield atmosphere for European ties finally dead? ☠️ Our recent record does not bode well for turning things around against Galatasaray… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Marc Atkins Rio Ngumoha was only expected to start one of Liverpool’s next three gamesThe Liverpool manager spoke about Ngumoha’s game time in his pre-Tottenham press conference last Friday.When doing so, he said: “Rio is a player who could start for us.
“He’s been coming in for longer spells. He’s definitely an option to start one of the three games in the coming week.”Well, if Slot sticks to his word, that means we will not see the teenager in the side when the team news is announced on the evening of March 18.As well as all but confirming Ngumoha will only start one game in the next three, Slot gave several more hints about his team for the Galatasaray clash on Sunday.Why Arne Slot needs to change his stance on Rio NgumohaAndy Robertson was given a rare start in the Premier League, so expect Milos Kerkez back in the defence this week.Ibrahima Konate was also handed a rest, so the Frenchman will almost certainly return on Wednesday.Further forward, both Hugo Ektitike and Mohamed Salah were dropped from the XI, meaning they are expected to once again be rotated back in as Slot tries to keep a fairly small squad as fit as possible during a hectic run of games.Previously, Don Hutchison explained why Ngumoha shouldn’t have started for Liverpool vs Galatasaray in Turkey.While he did have a point, this meeting is different.
Firstly, because despite his limited minutes, the former Chelsea man has been Slot’s best player in recent games.But also because Galatasaray will not have any fans in the stadium, meaning the atmosphere should be much, much more favourable for the youngster.Granted, that still probably won’t stop Slot from starting Cody Gakpo, but at the very least, we will hopefully see Ngumoha actually used off the bench this time around.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox