Arne Slot hailed debutant Rio Ngumoha after the 16-year-old delivered a powerful efficiency in Liverpool’s 4-0 FA Cup victory over Accrington Stanley, describing it as a “special occasion” for the teenager.
Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round conflict in opposition to Accrington Stanley marked a memorable milestone as Ngumoha grew to become the membership’s youngest-ever participant within the competitors at simply 16 years and 135 days previous.
{The teenager}, who joined the Reds from Chelsea final summer season, made his senior debut within the 4-0 victory at Anfield.
Ngumoha began on the left-wing and delivered an assured efficiency, lasting 71 minutes earlier than being substituted to a heat reception from the Anfield crowd.
Regardless of his youth, he confirmed maturity in possession, typically seeking to tackle defenders or hyperlink up with teammates. Whereas he gave away just a few fouls, his confidence and technical means stood out.
Liverpool’s dominance was already clear earlier than the half time break, as objectives from Diogo Jota and a spectacular long-range strike from Trent Alexander-Arnold, which soared into the highest nook on the Anfield Street Finish, put them in ascendancy.
Additional objectives from Federico Chiesa and teenager Jayden Danns cemented the Reds’ development to the fourth spherical.
Talking after the match, Liverpool head coach Slot praised Ngumoha’s show: “Rio was fortunate that Federico (Chiesa) wasn’t with us within the final two days as a result of he was sick.
“He’s been with us now for half a season. Each time he trains with us, we see his qualities. He can dominate one-on-one conditions, he’s very fast on his toes, and he can change path actually quick.”
Slot additionally highlighted the Anfield crowd’s appreciation of Ngumoha’s efforts: “I’m all the time glad when a participant making his debut exhibits what we see on the coaching floor. I believe the followers appreciated what they noticed, you can really feel it within the stadium, and once I took him off, their response confirmed it too. It was a special occasion for him. He’ll sleep nicely tonight, I assume.”