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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesDaniel SturridgeEx-Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was left impressed by one Reds man as Alexis Mac Allister scored a late winner for Arne Slot's side against Nottingham ForestFormer Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge.(Image: Daniela Porcelli/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was left in no doubt about Rio Ngumoha after watching him against Nottingham Forest, declaring the teenager ready for a more prominent role.Ngumoha helped force the winning goal at the City Ground and looked strong in his cameo off the bench, though it remains to be seen when he will feature again as the Reds battle Chelsea and Manchester United for a place in the Champions League spots."Every time I watch Rio Ngumoha, he looks electric," Sturridge posted on social media. Simple as that."READ MORE: Vitor Pereira makes 'unfair' Liverpool claim after Nottingham Forest heartbreak - 'Not enough'READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Nottingham Forest as Alexis Mac Allister saves dayNgumoha has played a part in nine Premier League games so far this season, but Liverpool has been very careful not to put too much pressure on his body, given his youthfulness."He has incredible potential, otherwise at 17 years of age you don't play as many minutes as he does in the Premier League, let alone at Liverpool," Arne Slot said at the City Ground."I don't think there's any other 17-year-old that has played so many minutes this season in the Premier League as he did.Rio Ngumoha during a Liverpool training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)"I don't think there is an 18- or 19-year-old maybe that played so many minutes as he did, but that last thing I'm not 100 percent sure about."So that tells you how much of a talent he is and we think he is.
He's making progress more and more and that's why lately you see him playing more and as well."He gets stronger. Apart from his moment where he had that one-v-one, there were also one or two other moments where he showed that he stands his ground."That is, of course, what you need because you face 25-, 26-, 27-, 28-year-old athletes mainly as your opponents.
Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world."For him to show this already at 17 years of age says something about his talent."But, as we all know, talent is only the start of a career and you need so many other things, as we've shown today — Macca [is] a great example about mentality. That is something you need to get a career at this level."Liverpool.com says: Ngumoha is a really strong option to bring off the bench but it is understandable that the Reds are being careful with him.
