Sam Allardyce shares his verdict on how Arne Slot is using Rio Ngumoha at Liverpool

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Sam Allardyce thinks players like Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will now be saying they are worried about Rio Ngumoha taking their places in the Liverpool team.Ngumoha stole the show against Nottingham Forest over the weekend when he came off the bench for the final 13 minutes of normal time.He nearly played a key role in Liverpool opening the scoring following a brilliant run and cross, which ended in Alexis Mac Allister’s effort being ruled out by VAR. Who was the better Liverpool goalkeeper – prime Alisson or prime Pepe Reina?

Nonetheless, Ngumoha was still praised by Jamie Carragher, who said the teenager did more during his brief time on the pitch than Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo managed all game.Sam Allardyce backs Arne Slot’s use of Rio NgumohaSlot’s use of Ngumoha has been questioned, with Carragher also saying the teenager needs to start more matches.Given he is a natural winger who could play on the right and left, it would likely mean fewer minutes for Gakpo or Salah.Now, speaking on his No Tippy Tappy Football podcast this week, Allardyce has suggested that players who are not playing well will be thinking Ngumoha is going to take their spot.He also does not ‘disagree’ with how Slot has been using the youngster so far.He said: “It’s easier to bring him in and build his confidence that way than putting him in from the start and maybe it doesn’t work.“So, you know, build his confidence nice and slow that the players who are not playing that well at this moment in time, then the manager will make the ultimate decision in the end, you know, but the players will be looking over the shoulder and saying, “I need to lift my game up if this lad’s coming because he’s going to take my place.”“So, I don’t disagree with bringing him off the subs bench and I think that it’s a great way of feeding him in and if he’s getting the praise for it and people have started pushing for him to start, then that’s great. But maybe the coach thinks not quite yet.” CHANGE MY MIND: Rio Ngumoha needs to go out on loan next season ✈️ Where would be the ideal destination?

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images How many minutes has Rio Ngumoha played this seasonNgumoha has featured in nine Premier League matches this term, but has struggled for minutes.The Forest win was his second-longest outing to date, and he’s so far played just 89 minutes of league football.The 17-year-old has seen a bit more action in cup competitions, including 161 minutes in the Carabao Cup.He’s also played 39 minutes in the Champions League and 86 minutes across two FA Cup ties.West Ham United are next up for Liverpool before back-to-back meetings with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League and FA Cup.It’s expected we will see the youngster at least make a substitute appearance or two in those meetings.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox