Rio Ngumoha has issued a two-word message on social media after Jamie Carragher’s glowing Liverpool verdict. The 17-year-old winger was thrown on by Arne Slot for the final 13 minutes against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground with the visitors in search of a winner.
Though it was Dominik Szoboszlai, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister that were key to Liverpool scoring late on, Ngumoha was superb in his cameo. Minutes before Mac Allister’s winner, the Argentine midfielder thought he had won the game, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for handball.
Ngumoha had created the chance that led to Mac Allister’s disallowed goal after some neat footwork and a superb cross. Following his bright cameo, the teenager took to Instagram with several Liverpool stars replying to his post.
Alongside some photos of him in action and the celebrations, Ngumoha simply wrote: “Three points.” In the comments, Harvey Elliott replied, “Well done lil bro! Changed it!” while Mac Allister commented a clapping emoji.
Carragher was another to make his feelings clear on Ngumoha and he brutally put down two other Liverpool players when praising his impact.
He said on Sky Sports: “Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah and Gakpo did before that. He changed the game and needs to be starting games. There’s no-one better in getting last-minute winners in Premier League – and that is Liverpool.”
While watching Ngumoha complete several step-overs before delivering a cross, Carragher added: “Here, Rio Ngumoha does something I have not seen a Liverpool wide player do all season, go at his full-back, commit him and put real quality into the box.
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Slot was also seemingly a big fan of his display off the bench, but appeared to play down suggestions that he should be playing more.
He said: “He is already playing a big role for a 17-year-old player. Tell me where in the Premier League there is a player who has gotten this number of minutes.”
“This tells you about the quality of the talent he possesses, and how much we appreciate him.”
One player that could not have an impact against Forest was Florian Wirtz after he pulled out of the starting XI in the warm-up with Curtis Jones replacing him.
When asked for an injury update, Slot said: “We don’t think it is very serious. He felt his back too much during the warm-up to start. He wasn’t able to be 100% or close to 100%.
“I think after being in this league for six, seven or eight months that no matter how good you are on the ball, you need to be 100% at this level.
“So we decided not to play him but hope and expect him to be with us next week.”
Up next, Liverpool take on West Ham at Anfield before heading to Molineux twice in three days for a Premier League and FA Cup fifth round clash.
