Sam Allardyce sends Rio Ngumoha message to Arne Slot after Liverpool heroics
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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesSam AllardyceSam Allardyce and Jamie Carragher have called for Rio Ngumoha to be given more playing time after the 17-year-old's impressive cameo helped Liverpool secure a 1-0 win at Nottingham ForestSam Allardyce has offered his opinion(Image: Getty Images)Sam Allardyce has called on Arne Slot to introduce Rio Ngumoha earlier in games following the teenager's latest impressive appearance in Liverpool's 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest last weekend.Brought on in the 77th minute at the City Ground, Ngumoha instantly altered the momentum in Liverpool's favor. His penetrating runs ignited the sequence that resulted in Alexis Mac Allister's first goal, which was subsequently disallowed by VAR.Mac Allister ultimately did net the winner against Forest, but it was the 17-year-old who garnered the plaudits, from Jamie Carragher and Slot himself, for the contribution he delivered off the bench.
"He gets stronger and stronger," Slot said at the time.READ MORE: Liverpool injury boost is coming - and it's perfect timing for Arne SlotREAD MORE: Liverpool told how Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will react to Rio Ngumoha emergence"Apart from his moment when he had his one-v-one, there were also one or two other moments where he stands his ground."That is what you need because you face 25, 26, 27, 28-year-old athletes mainly as your opponents because we are a bit of an exception in terms of our age group of players. Most teams have players of different ages and physicality."Despite Slot's remarks, there have been calls for the Dutch manager to give Ngumoha more minutes going forward.Rio Ngumoha produced an excellent display against Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)"It's great to be able to come on as a sub," Allardyce told the BOYLE Sports and Footy Accumulators' podcast, 'No Tippy Tappy Football.'"You can have him [Ngumoha] on from the start when everybody is up and at it and fresh, but if you bring him on with 20 minutes to go when the level and tempo is going down and there's that bit more space, then he can flourish."I would leave Ngumoha on the bench for the moment, but Slot can bring him on sooner now."It's easier to build his confidence that way than to put him in from the start, which may not work."That said, the starters who aren't playing very well will be looking over their shoulder, knowing they've got to raise their game or else he'll take their place."Carragher also contended that Ngumoha warrants a run in Slot's starting XI, considering what he offers to an attacking line currently short of speed and unpredictability."Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah and Gakpo did before that.
He changed the game and needs to be starting games," Carragher said on Sky Sports after the Forest game."I think at some stage, Rio Ngumoha has got to come into the team, or he may have to go with another midfield player or lose a Gakpo or a Salah. I think Liverpool's penetration and pace in the wide areas is really lacking."Liverpool FCSam AllardyceRio NgumohaJamie CarragherArne SlotNottingham Forest