Arne Slot has hinted Rio Ngumoha could have a role to play against Paris Saint-Germain after explaining why the teenager can cope on the biggest stage.
Ngumoha’s first Anfield goal sparked more discussions over whether another start against PSG is due to give Liverpool the X-factor they are otherwise missing as they chase the tie.
The 17-year-old still has plenty of development to undertake and Slot has been eager to protect him, but he did confidently declare Ngumoha is a character who could cope in games such as these.
“Yeah, I think he can [cope with this type of game],” Slot responded after being asked about Ngumoha’s capacity to play a role.
“First of all, because of [his] personality. He doesn’t get distracted.
“I think everyone who knows his history a bit more, there’s a lot of expectation around him for many years already.
“He’s always been able to focus on football, to become better, to become stronger, to become ready.
“To be 16 years of age, score your first goal, [now] 17 years of age and already had multiple starts for the first team of Liverpool, that’s one thing.
“And second of all, because of his quality, he shows that he’s able, at the highest level, which is Champions League, but Premier League definitely he has this as well, to be able to take one-v-ones on and make it difficult for the defenders he’s facing.
“I think he’s done a very good job in managing what comes to him now, but then it’s also a good thing to have so many experienced players around you, which he has in the dressing room.”
Ngumoha has yet to start a Champions League fixture, instead coming off the bench in wins against Atletico Madrid, Qarabag and Galatasaray this season for a total of 40 minutes.
A start in the second leg of a quarter-final tie when two goals down would, therefore, be quite the show of faith in the teenager, who has shown he does not go into his shell on the big stage.
Slot has his full complement of attackers available to him at Anfield, though a start for Alexander Isak is unlikely to be on the cards after two successive cameos off the bench.
