Rio Ngumoha’s new Liverpool role confirmed by Arne Slot despite potential Alexander Isak arrival

Liverpool have spent over £300million this summer and may not be done yet adding to their attack, but Arne Slot says there will still be room for 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who scored the winner at Newcastle on Monday

Rio Ngumoha will play a growing role for Liverpool this season, Reds boss Arne Slot insists. The Premier League champions have splashed out over £300million this summer, bringing in top attacking talents like Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike – with the hope being that Alexander Isak may still arrive before Monday’s transfer deadline.

With Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo still key figures in the squad, and Federico Chiesa staying put, teenage starlet Ngumoha faces stiff competition to get minutes. But as Slot fielded questions about the potential arrival of Isak on Friday, he made clear his plans for the 17-year-old, who scored the winner at Newcastle on Monday night.

“The whole press conference started with [questions about] spending of us and other clubs, and in the end a 16-year-old coming from the academy scores the winner, so that is the beauty of football,” said Slot. “We have spent a lot, sold a lot as well, still have room for him. Now there is room for him, and he can show his qualities, still room for him to show that as well in the upcoming game, he will be on the bench as well.”

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Whether Ngumoha, who made his Premier League debut on Monday and celebrated his 17th birthday on Friday, is ready to start top-flight games remains to be seen.

“It was a great goal for a 16-year-old,” Slot told Sky Sports after Monday’s game. “Rio can finish so well for his age. I did hear someone say afterwards in the dressing room that he would have taken a first touch, but he is so confident. For his age, he is a really good finisher.”

Meanwhile, quizzed about his attacking options on Friday ahead of the home clash against Arsenal, Slot responded: “I think I said after Monday evening that again I could make a substitution that impacted the game, that’s what Federico did against Bournemouth and Rio did against Newcastle.

“As always, we try to sign players who can help us, but there is no reason after the first two games to complain or to think we need more.

“But if we can strengthen the squad we will always try to do that if it’s for the right money or the right player. And there are only three or four days to go now, so let’s see if we do something.”

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