Arne Slot has just been given a golden chance to atone for his treatment of 'special' player - opinion
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Two players have now been ruled out of Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest this weekend due to injury, which could open the door for a fringe star to feature.Arne Slot spoke to the media on Friday morning ahead of welcoming Sean Dyche’s men to Anfield.During his press conference, the Dutchman commented on Liverpool potentially signing Marc Guehi or another centre-back in January.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. He was also asked about any fresh injury concerns going into the tie, confirming Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley are sidelined.Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesFlorian Wirtz injury could see Arne Slot use Rio NgumohaCommenting on Wirtz and Bradley, Slot said: “Both muscle issues.
Florian won’t be that long.”With Liverpool short of right-back options this season, it’s likely we will see Joe Gomez start in that role on Saturday. Who will win Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest on Saturday?
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images Meanwhile, Wirtz’s injury could finally mean Slot starts to hand more game time to Rio Ngumoha this season.The German has improved since being used out wide for Liverpool in recent weeks, and it seemed likely he would have started alongside Hugo Ekitike and Mohammed Salah in the front three against Forest if he was fit.Instead, Cody Gakpo seems the obvious replacement in the eleven, given Hugo Ekitike struggled out wide for France this week and he will likely get the nod over Alexander Isak through the centre anyway.In turn, though Gakpo will probably start, Ngumoha should finally get some minutes off the bench.The 17-year-old has featured in just one of the Reds’ last five Premier League ties, leaving Liverpool fans unhappy with Slot for his treatment of the teenager.Supporters have been left baffled by the England U19 international being left on the bench, with one asking: “He was the reason we didn’t go and buy another left winger. So why is he not given a chance?”But now Wirtz is out of action against Forest, Ngumoha seems the obvious option to come off the bench in the left-wing role on November 22.Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty ImagesLiverpool must handle Rio Ngumoha’s development the right wayThere is no question that the young winger has an incredibly bright future ahead of him.Despite hardly featuring at senior level, the Liverpool gem has been backed to win Ballon d’Or at some point in his career.Virgil van Dijk expects big things from Ngumoha, dubbing the rising talent ‘very special’ earlier this season.However, Liverpool must be wary of losing him to another top European club if they don’t give him enough game time.His current Anfield contract expires in 2028, and it’s likely most big teams will have already scouted the London-born ace.There’s no reason for him to be too angry about his minutes just yet, but Slot does need to start giving him more of a chance as the campaign progresses, especially during periods like right now when key players in his position are injured.