- Arne Slot hails Rio Ngumoha
- Hints at PSG start for teenager
- Not surprised by winger’s performance
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has hinted that Rio Ngumoha could potentially start in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals second leg against Paris Saint-Germain next week.
The Dutchman was full of praise for the teenager after he scored in the 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, April 11. He believes the winger is ready but questions whether he has the energy to maintain his level for two high-voltage matches in a short span. He said:
“Yeah, I think he is ready. Now I think the question, of course, is can he do this two days later? But would he be able to play at that level? Yeah, I play him because I see him as one of the players we are having. It’s not like he is less or at the beginning of the season, he was a young player, getting some experience with the first team.”
Slot went on to add that Ngumoha has shown that he is ready to be picked any time the team wants him on the pitch, but does not think it is realistic to put pressure on a 17-year-old to deliver in the big matches.
“Now he is someone I can pick for every game, so also the one on Tuesday. But in general, expecting a 17-year-old can play three games in six days – because we are unfortunate we have Wednesday-Tuesday fixtures from UEFA – you could question if that is realistic. Especially the ones there in Paris saw that intensity. You noticed that in almost every player in my line-up, I was aware how intense two days ago was and how intense two days from today will be again.”
The Dutchman added that he was not surprised by the performance against Fulham, as the winger has been showing his quality for months.
Rio Ngumoha has been working hard in training
Arne Slot has revealed that the youngster has been working on his shot power in training, and the last month has shown the difference. He added that the winger has also been dominating in one-on-one situations, both in training and in matches, and has earned his place in the starting XI.
Liverpool take on PSG at Anfield on Tuesday, April 14, and have to come from 2-0 down. The French side had their league match against RC Lens postponed ahead of the second leg, and the decision was announced by Ligue 1 last month.
Luis Enrique and his players have thus got a week-long break between the two legs, while the Reds will have two days to prepare for the second leg.
