Liverpool need to send 'very special' player out on loan in 2026, his potential is being hindered - opinion
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Liverpool do not have the biggest squad right now, and persistent injury and fitness issues have hampered Arne Slot.However, despite the Dutchman having selection problems this season, including at left-wing and right-back, he is not giving enough minutes to a couple of players.Liverpool fans don’t understand Slot’s treatment of Federico Chiesa this term, given his clear work ethic and decent goal contribution record.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Who has been Liverpool’s best player in 2025?
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images 👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say Chiesa could end up leaving in January or next summer, which would be a shame, as there is a top talent in there.Behind the Italian, though, Liverpool need to start doing more to help Rio Ngumoha reach his full potential.Liverpool’s plan for Rio Ngumoha has gone out the windowThe 17-year-old is one of the brightest talents at Anfield right now.Those in a position of power seemingly shared the same view during the 2025 summer transfer window as well.It was reported back in August that Liverpool didn’t want to sign Bradley Barcola because they feared it would block Ngumoha’s path into the senior team.Yet, despite not moving for Barcola this year, their teenage star still hasn’t been given any real opportunities.Liverpool have had a mixed season overall, and bedding in youngsters is obviously harder when results aren’t going your way.But the London-born talent is yet to be handed a single start in the league, and on the rare occasion he is brought on, it is normally at the very end of a game, when his impact is limited.Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty ImagesCody Gakpo has played too many minutes ahead of Rio NgumohaThis comes despite the fact that Ngumoha is a natural left-winger, and his main competition in the team would be Cody Gakpo.Gakpo has been off his game for much of this season and has been criticised for being too predictable.Yet, when he’s fit, the Dutchman is quite often selected ahead of the likes of Ngumoha and Chiesa.Virgil van Dijk backs the Liverpool gem to excel, calling him ‘very special’ at the start of the 2025/26 campaign.But unless he’s going to get more minutes in the coming months, which seems unlikely, a January loan move could be best for all parties.
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