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Rio Ngumoha has been backed to earn more starts for Liverpool after recent comments from Anfield legend Steven GerrardArne Slot has been told by former Premier League star Joe Cole why he should start Rio Ngumoha more often for Liverpool in the future. The Reds are currently preparing to face Galatasaray in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League.Ngumoha was handed a start for Liverpool in their 3-1 win over Wolves in the FA Cup at Molineux last Friday night, where he put in an impressive performance for the Reds.The teenager has been regularly tipped for more minutes for Liverpool this season, particularly after his impressive cameos from the bench in the Premier League.Ngumoha has made 18 appearances so far this season across all competitions, including 11 in the Premier League and two in the Champions League.READ MORE: Giorgi Mamardashvili makes feelings clear on Liverpool status as he prepares for rare chanceREAD MORE: Galatasaray and UEFA address Liverpool concerns as 'outstanding' work praisedThe 17-year-old featured as a substitute during the wins over Atletico Madrid and Qarabag during the league phase of the competition, and was an unused substitute for the other six matches.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!
All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageWith a Champions League test to come this week and further Premier League fixtures ahead, as well as an FA Cup quarter-final, Cole - who made 42 appearances for the Reds from 2010-13 - has called on Slot to give more opportunities to Ngumoha.“I would definitely start him [going forward],” Cole told Paddy Power. He’s got so much talent, this kid.”Cole’s message comes days after Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard also explained why Ngumoha deserved to be handed a start for the Reds.Gerrard was speaking after Liverpool were beaten by Wolves in the Premier League last week, which came just three days before Ngumoha started at the same stadium in a victory in the FA Cup."[Slot] has to start Ngumoha now,” Gerrard told TNT Sports on March 3."He [Slot] has to start him [Ngumoha] because he's coming on and he's doing more in a short cameo in a short space of time than [Cody] Gakpo's doing in 65, 70 minutes.
He deserves to start now."After facing Galatasaray in the Champions League, Liverpool will be back in Premier League action at the weekend as they host Tottenham Hotspur, who are also away from home in Europe during the week as they face Atletico Madrid.For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.We're also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.
