How Rio Ngumoha ‘came of age’ in Emirates FA Cup win over Wolves as Arne Slot urges youngster to follow in Mohamed Salah’s footsteps

React to this story

Rio Ngumoha scooped the player of the match award as Liverpool reached the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win against Wolves at Molineux on Friday. The 17-year-old winger came in for widespread praise afterwards, with team-mate Andy Robertson telling TNT Sports he "came of age." However, Arne Slot explained what the youngster needs to learn from his celebrated team-mate Mohamed Salah.

Highlights: Robertson stars as Liverpool ease past Wolves to continue FA Cup run

Video credit: TNT Sports

Age was no obstacle for Liverpool’s teenage rising star Rio Ngumoha as he scooped the player of the match award and earned universal plaudits for his performance in Friday’s Emirates FA Cup win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The winger has already made history in his short career by becoming Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted a spectacular late winner against Newcastle United on his Premier League debut in August aged 16.

Now 17, the electric winger continues to be a compelling presence and was a standout performer as Liverpool bounced back from Tuesday’s Premier League defeat away to Wolves to beat the same opponents 3-1 at Molineux and reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Transfers

Vinicius decision 'imminent', Barcola's Liverpool contract 'agreed' - Euro Transfer News

4 hours ago

Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones got the goals for Arne Slot’s side, but Ngumoha’s name was on everyone’s lips at full-time after he seized his chance for a rare start with some dazzling dribbles from the left wing.

"I said to him before the game that I wanted to see his decision-making in this game, because he’s only young, and I thought tonight he was outstanding," Robertson told TNT Sports in his post-match interview. His decision-making was so good for a 17-year-old.

"Sometimes he wants to take the whole team on and it’s not the right time, but I thought tonight he made pretty much every right decision.

Robertson: ‘Outstanding’ Ngumoha enjoyed breakout performance in FA Cup win

Video credit: TNT Sports

"He’s a credit to himself. He works so hard, he wants to listen to all the experienced lads. Him and Trey Nyoni train with us every single day and they are great kids, a credit to their families.

"I just think today he really came of age. If he puts more performances in like that, he’s just going to get more and more game time."

Asked what it is like to come up against the youngster in training, Robertson said: "You don’t want to come up against him, that’s for sure! Not in 1v1s anyway.

"He wants to take anyone on, he’s got quick feet, he is not scared to take anyone on. But we just keep going on at him about the decision-making because that’s what will make him a top player.

"He’s got everything in his toolbox to go and have such a special career and he’s already showing that. If we can help him on the way, then so be it. I thought today the experienced lads around him helped him and then he just flourished and fair play to him."

Why Rio 'has to take example' from Salah

Slot was also pleased with the performance of his teenage star, but urged him to follow the example of his experienced team-mate Salah in order to harness his potential.

"A good performance. I think he was even better than when he came in three days ago. He kept the ball really well, was a threat constantly," Slot told TNT Sports.

"He’s a player that, as we know because it’s not the first time, is able to beat his man in a 1v1 situation and that is something you don’t see a lot in modern football.

"A good performance from him and that’s special if you are 17 years old and you can impact a Premier League game - I know it’s an FA Cup game, but with two Premier League sides - in this manner. That shows that he has a lot of qualities.

Slot: Ngumoha must follow Salah’s example after ‘special’ performance at Wolves

Video credit: TNT Sports

"But on the other side, there is a player in Mo Salah who he has to take an example from. Because being a good player is not so difficult, but being a good player every three days over a long period of time is something we are going to work on very hard with him, to make sure he can go to those levels."

Michael Owen was watching on in his role as a TNT Sports pundit and the former Liverpool and England striker was impressed by what he saw.

Discussing Ngumoha’s display after the game, Owen suggested that he possesses more threat than his more experienced team-mate Cody Gakpo.

"He’s direct, which is a great asset to have. No defender wants to play against somebody who runs directly at you and then can go either way," Owen said.

"When you look at somebody like Gakpo, who has played in that position the majority of the season, he cuts inside an awful lot. He’s quite predictable whereas Rio can go either way at pace. He’s direct, he’s a handful and I thought he played really well."

- - -

Transfers