Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 with a 97th-minute Alexis Mac Allister winner as 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha’s cameo caught the eye and Arne Slot considers new winger options
Despite securing a vital 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest, some Liverpool players faced criticism.
The Reds’ Sunday journey to the City Ground resulted in a full three points courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister’s 97th-minute goal. The triumph brought the champions level with Chelsea, as the top four race intensifies with just 10 matches remaining. Despite the victory, Liverpool’s second consecutive 1-0 away win in the league, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo were criticised for their lacklustre attacking performance against the struggling team.
It was Arne Slot’s choice to substitute them, introducing 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, that sparked the Reds’ stoppage-time winner minutes after Mac Allister’s initial goal was disallowed for handball. The Dutchman offered his candid assessment on the teenager’s future, while transfer news has emerged regarding another winger. Here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
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Slot’s verdict on Ngumoha
Ngumoha’s introduction in the 77th minute transformed the game for Liverpool. In what was largely a dull attacking display from the reigning champions, reports the Mirror.
The youngster’s energetic cameo led to Mac Allister’s first goal, which was subsequently ruled out for handball following a VAR review.
The Argentine netted once more from close quarters in the 97th minute, with that goal securing a vital three points for the Reds. The teen received high praise from the likes of Carragher and Daniel Sturridge, as well as his own manager, Slot.
Slot said: “He gets stronger and stronger. Apart from his moment when he had his one-vs-one, there were also one or two other moments where he stands his ground.
“That is what you need because you face 25, 26, 27, 28-year-old athletes mainly as your opponents because we are a bit of an exception in terms of our age group of players. Most teams have players of different ages and physicality.”
Despite calls for Ngumoha to be granted more playing time, Slot maintained his young prodigy requires more than just talent to carve out a career at the top level. The Dutchman elaborated: “For him to show this already at 17 years of age, it says something about his talent.
“But as we all know, talent is only the start of his career, you need so many other things, we have shown today; Macca a great example of mentality and that is something you need to have a career at this level.”
Carragher’s demand
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Among those taken with the youngster’s brief appearance was Carragher, who delivered a scathing assessment of the uninspiring displays from Salah and Gakpo.
The Reds legend maintained Ngumoha merits a stint in Slot’s starting XI due to his contribution to an attack currently lacking speed and unpredictability.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher stated: “Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah and Gakpo did before that. He changed the game and needs to be starting games.
“I think at some stage, Rio Ngumoha has got to come into the team, or he may have to go with another midfield player or lose a Gakpo or a Salah. I think Liverpool’s penetration and pace in the wide areas is really lacking.”
‘Personal agreement’ with winger
Bayern Munich are said to be losing the race for Ivory Coast ace Yan Diomande – with the German giants fearing he already has a personal agreement with Liverpool to move to Anfield at the end of the season.
The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the highest-rated young forwards in Europe this season, registering nine goals and seven assists in 25 appearances in all competitions for RB Leipzig. He is valued at around £88m.
A Bayern insider, who goes by the name ‘Bayern Space’ on X, says the Bundesliga titans – who are also interested in Diomande – internally believe the teen will likely end up in England.
The report suggest Bayern could turn their attention to Reds winger Cody Gakpo if they miss out on Diomande. The Dutchman has previously been linked with a move to Munich.