Michael Owen tips 'fearless' Liverpool talent to play huge role under Andoni Iraola

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen is a big fan of Rio Ngumoha, but he says Andoni Iraola — who is making a "big step up" at Anfield himself — will have to be careful with the teenagerTNT Sports pundit Michael Owen.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)Michael Owen says Rio Ngumoha is a "fearless" young talent, but he has warned that new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola would be unwise to rely too heavily on him next term.Last season, Ngumoha played 29 times for Liverpool at senior level, scoring twice and assisting once. Thomas Tuchel took him to the pre-World Cup training camp that England conducted in the US, though he won't be sticking around for the tournament."His aim should be to continue learning at Liverpool, getting as much game time as possible, getting used to playing in the Premier League, and gaining as much experience as possible," Owen, who was a prodigious young talent himself, tells Liverpool.com."Learning from senior players and also enjoying your football and being brave, believe in your ability and create and score goals."This year, he played probably more than the club would have expected, in my opinion, with Cody Gakpo not performing to his best.

With injuries in the wide positions, this enabled Rio to have more game time."I have been impressed with him, the way he plays, his fearless nature, but as a club, Liverpool can’t expect to rely on such a young talent to deliver week in week out next season."So, how much should he play? Well, if he performs, assists, and scores, then there is no reason he cannot have a big role next season and be involved regularly.Rio Ngumoha (centre) has already made his England international senior debut at the age of 17(Image: Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)"But as I mentioned, he is a very young player.

At such a young age, he shouldn’t be the one relied on to deliver."Arne Slot was very careful with Ngumoha last season, and that is expected to continue in the next campaign under Iraola so as not to put too much physical pressure on a 17-year-old whose body is still developing.Ngumoha has proven himself as having the potential to step up, though, and Iraola himself will have to do the same having arrived from a much smaller club in Bournemouth."For sure, this is a big step up joining Liverpool," Owen, the face of Casino.org in the UK, a leading comparison website helping Brits find online casinos that suit their preferences, says.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Should Iraola be able to deliver the same effect that he had at Bournemouth, then absolutely, he can be a success."It is a step up, he hasn’t got the experience in managing a big club before, but you look at other managers who have made steps up in their career... yes, Liverpool are taking a chance, but he knows the Premier League, and he is an impressive person, so he can be a success for sure."He has a good squad here at Liverpool and with the right adjustments, there is no reason Liverpool can’t challenge for the title next season."The fans need to be on his side, he will look to play a similar style to Jurgen Klopp, so this is something the fans will entertain and then it’s up to the players to deliver for him on the pitch."This week, Darwin Nunez has been speculated as a potential option for Liverpool.