WOLVERHAMPTON, England — Liverpool manager Arne Slot has heaped praise on “special” Rio Ngumoha after the teenager impressed in his side’s 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.
The 17-year-old played 69 minutes of Liverpool’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Molineux Stadium, forcing an early save from Sam Johnstone and causing constant problems for the Wolves defence.
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While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, the forward’s display will only strengthen calls for him to be handed more regular game-time, particularly with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah struggling for form this term.
Ngumoha was making just his fourth start and 18th appearance of the season in all competitions.
Reflecting on Ngumoha’s display, Slot told BBC Sport: “Special because if you’re 17 years old, and you can impact two Premier League sides facing each other, then that tells you how good of a player he is.
“But it is up to him to bring this every time. This should give him a lot of confidence to show this in an away game.”
Second-half goals from Andy Robertson, Salah and Curtis Jones secured the victory for Liverpool in the West Midlands before Hwang Hee-Chan netted Wolves’ late consolation. It is a much needed boost for Slot’s side, who travel to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
“We created more than we did in the last game and that is the reason we could win it today,” Slot said. “Every three days I have a different feeling. Three days ago my feeling was completely different to now. Good to be in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. In three, four days away, another big game in Istanbul.”
Defender Robertson’s only other goal this season came in September when Liverpool beat Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. His leading role in Friday’s win was a welcome one after Wolves had humbled Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier League three days ago.
“[That was a] bit more like it,” Robertson told the BBC. “We know we let ourselves down on Tuesday … it was up to us to go and put it right. The FA Cup is do or die.”
Liverpool are the first team to book their place in the FA Cup quarterfinals, which will take place on the first weekend in April. The other seven contenders will be decided in matches to be held over the next few days.
“We are trying to fight on all fronts,” Robertson said. “We are still in two cup competitions. If we play like we did tonight, then nobody wants to play against us. We have to start showing that consistency. It is one step forward and two steps back.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
