Liverpool they have suffered something of a winter blow, drawing four of their last seven Premier League match and trail Tottenham by a goal to nil after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
The finely crafted fluency has been out of balance in recent weeks, there’s no doubt about it. But first-placed Liverpool still have a four-point advantage over Arsenalhaving played a game less, and will be determined to beat Spurs at Anfield next month.
Arne slot machine he will maintain his cool and composed demeanor, working with sporting director Richard Hughes to further Liverpool’s cause to the best of his ability. Liverpool are pushing for silverware and many fans are hoping that FSG will give the go-ahead for a mid-season signing to push the Merseysiders further forward.
Liverpool’s January transfer plans
Liverpool’s contract issues have been debated endlessly. Most of the noise has gone in circles Trent Alexander-Arnoldbut Hughes and co had better watch out Mohamed Salah being courted by Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal.
Liverpool still waiting for Salah and Virgil van Dijk to extend their time at Anfield, although Alexander-Arnold’s future is cloudier. This massive problem is the main reason why inbox was not attempted. Left back Milos Kerkez is top of the wish listfor example, but is not expected to be replaced Andy Robertson until the end of the season.
Then there is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The award-winning Napoli winger, 23, is set to complete a move to Paris Saint-Germain despite Liverpool showing their hand last week.
|
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vs LFC Left Wingers (24/25) |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Statistics* |
|||
|
Games (start) |
17 (15) |
19 (14) |
20 (12) |
|
Goals |
5 |
8 |
6 |
|
It helps |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Shots (on goal)* |
2.9 (1.0) |
2.0 (0.9) |
1.8 (0.7) |
|
Big opportunities missed |
2 |
5 |
4 |
|
Completion of pass |
83% |
87% |
85% |
|
Basic Passes* |
1.7 |
1.4 |
1.2 |
|
dribble (success)* |
1.1 (31%) |
1.2 (43%) |
1.1 (67%) |
|
Ball recovery* |
2.6 |
2.6 |
2.2 |
|
Total duels (won)* |
4.2 (44%) |
3.2 (37%) |
3.3 (54%) |
|
Statistics via Sofascore (* = per game) |
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It’s a little disappointing to see the initial intrigues fail for such a talented player, but with Luis Diaz and Cody Steele holding the fort in that area so spectacularly, it probably wasn’t the best track to go down this month. Both Redmen are arguably outperforming the Georgia international this season.
And anyway, Liverpool may have a rising talent in Rio Ngumoha who could prove to be Slot’s own version of Kvaratskhelia.
Rio Ngumoha could be Slot’s Kvaratskhelia
Sometimes, a budding talent comes along and you just know they carry something special. Ngumoha is that talent, although the 16-year-old should join Slot’s senior team in the coming years, but will be allowed to develop naturally with sporadic chances among the big boys.
Ngumoha was ruled out of Chelsea’s esteemed youth academy last summer, and it’s fair to say Cobham officials were left hot under the collar as they lost one of their best to the Merseysiders.
The highly-rated youngster’s signing had been stuck due to some protracted administrative delays throughout the summer, but the move was completed in September and he immediately made waves in Liverpool’s youth scene, leading to high praise.
Journalist Lewis Bauer even said: “I’ve probably never seen anything like it. As for his ceiling, it’s terrifying.”
The electric sensation has already made 13 appearances for Liverpool’s respective youth sides this season, notching four assists and impressing with his ferocious athleticism and versatility.
His starting berth against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup last weekend was a perfect illustration of the high regard in which Slott holds him, as the Dutch manager is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to team selection.
|
Rio Ngumoha – Stats vs Acc. Stanley |
|
|---|---|
|
Match statistics |
# |
|
Minutes played |
72′ |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
It helps |
0 |
|
Shots (on goal) |
2 (0) |
|
touches |
30 |
|
Accurate passes |
16/18 (89%) |
|
Dribbles (completed) |
7 (3) |
|
Ground Battles (won) |
9 (3) |
|
Statistics via Sofascore |
|
He may not have scored against League Two rivals Liverpool last week, but Ngumoha gave an excellent account of himself on his professional debut, impressing throughout with zappy dribbling and unafraid to latch onto the defence. , displaying a combativeness that Slot would appreciate.
After the 4-0 home win, Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo he even awarded Ngumoha a 7/10 rating, writing: “Announced himself on debut with some tough runs down the left before the break and released the ball at the right time. Encouraging appearance.’
There is something softly artful yet supremely robust about his ability to carry the ball, his silky ability. The mechanics behind the youngster’s abilities suggest he could indeed become a superstar down the line if given enough time to grow into his skin.
Sure, Liverpool could have made good use of a high-class winger like Kvaratskhelia, but Slot has plenty of options and FSG won’t want to do anything rash that could hinder more calculated ventures down the line. They could well have saved themselves millions by not filling up the £68m Napoli man.
When Jurgen Klopp resigned at the end of the 2023/24 season, many across Europe may have felt that Liverpool would have to downgrade as the inevitable relegation was held with a cold grip.
In The Pipeline
The Football FanCast In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the best young players in world football.
But Slot’s work seems fit to last—and it’s just getting started. There is so much talent in the title-fighting first team, but in youngsters like Ngumoha, Liverpool may have some amazing potential that could prompt reflexive glances back at windows like this one, when Kvaratskhelia was on the radar, and makes fans breathe a sigh of relief.
For Ngumoha it could be much more.
