Liverpool‘s FA Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion was uplifting for a complete host of causes. Arne Slot‘s facet have secured passage by to the fifth spherical, for one.
However Liverpool have additionally made it back-to-back wins, and there are indicators that they’ve turned a nook in latest weeks after so many issues all through the marketing campaign.
Nevertheless, there have been false dawns earlier than, and Slot will now have to utilise his wider squad if he’s to make it a title-winning season.
Take Rio Ngumoha, for instance. The 17-year-old scored a wonderfully good aim in opposition to Brighton, chalked off as a result of absence of VAR.
The younger ahead has the world at his toes, and Slot should begin giving him a much bigger platform to exhibit his high quality. That mentioned, the Anfield facet seem like they’re engaged on a deal for a brand new left winger.
Liverpool frontrunners for Premier League winger
In opposition to Brighton on Saturday night, Cody Gakpo put in a robust efficiency, assured and purposeful on the ball.
His cross-field whip discovered Mohamed Salah after a interval of Seagulls dominance within the second half. Salah cushioned the ball into Dominik Szoboszlai‘s path, and Liverpool’s star man rifled residence.
Gakpo, nevertheless, has been one thing of a scapegoat as Liverpool have struggled this season, and at occasions, not unjustly. Whereas followers would not need Ngumoha’s pathway to be blocked, you possibly can see why FSG wish to strengthen.
The truth is, Liverpool might have already discovered their splendid goal in Anthony Gordon. In keeping with Caught Offside, they’re the frontrunners within the race for the Newcastle United star, with Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis trailing behind.
Talks might have already opened for the potential switch of Gordon, 24, although the supply at hand was cautious about inserting definitives on that.
Newcastle worth the one-time Liverpool academy star at £95m. It is unlikely FSG would sanction a deal at that worth after poor returns in entrance of aim from the Englishman.
Anticipate a lesser charge, and count on Liverpool’s teaching employees to have what it takes to assist Gordon realise his potential.
Why Ngumoha would undergo from Gordon’s arrival
Liverpool is not going to retain their Premier League title this season. Arsenal are too far forward. Nevertheless, the FA Cup and Champions League titles stay inside attain.
Nevertheless, Liverpool might be among the many favourites to safe England’s high prize subsequent 12 months, and renewed curiosity in Gordon is an indication that sporting director Richard Hughes recognises the necessity to arm Slot with a distinction to Gakpo.
The factor is, although, Liverpool opted in opposition to signing a left-sided ahead final summer time, even after Luis Diaz was offered to Bayern Munich for £65.5m. The rationale for this was the emergence of Ngumoha, a teen who has performed little to dissuade his followers this season, few although his alternatives have been.
In fact, Gordon is a confirmed Premier League star, one of the distinguished faces within the division. Since leaving Everton and signing for the Magpies in a £45m deal in January 2023, he has performed a vital position throughout two Champions League campaigns and final 12 months’s triumphant Carabao Cup bid.
Quick and livid, the Three Lions star has described himself as a “nightmare for anybody” he comes up in opposition to, although he has solely posted 9 objectives and eight assists for the reason that begin of the earlier top-flight time period.
Gordon has beforehand reached the highest, although. He was Newcastle’s Participant of the Season in 2023/24, a superb brilliant spark as Eddie Howe’s facet succumbed to so many accidents.
There could be an anticipation on Merseyside that Liverpool and Slot might deliver him again to high kind, although it is necessary that this would not have an effect on Ngumoha in his personal quest for fulfillment within the first staff.
Ngumoha, in spite of everything, netted a last-gasp winner at Gordon’s St. James’ Park again in August, and {the teenager} believes he “can win the Ballon d’Or sooner or later“.
|
Youngest Scorers in Premier League Historical past |
||
|---|---|---|
|
# |
Participant |
Age |
|
1 |
James Vaughan |
16 yrs, 8 months, 27 days |
|
2 |
James Milner |
16 yrs, 11 months, 22 days |
|
3 |
Wayne Rooney |
16 yrs, 11 months, 25 days |
|
4 |
Rio Ngumoha |
16 yrs, 11 months, 26 days |
|
5 |
Cesc Fabregas |
17 yrs, 3 months, 21 days |
Ngumoha is proving himself able to enjoying a giant half in Liverpool’s journey over the approaching years. He’s extra than simply an thrilling expertise: he’s a celebrity ready to emerge.
With fleet footwork and composure in entrance of aim that belies his younger years and inexperience, Ngumoha is the true deal, and whereas a transfer for Gordon to distinction with Gakpo is attention-grabbing, Hughes and Slot should weigh up the professionals and cons.
They have to decide whether or not such a transfer would have a detrimental influence on Ngumoha. Wasn’t that what stopped Liverpool from signing a Diaz alternative final summer time?
Fewer touches than Alisson & 100% duels misplaced: Liverpool dud have to be dropped
Liverpool progressed to the fifth spherical of the FA Cup with a win over Brighton & Hove Albion final night time.
