Liverpool played host to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon as they aimed to take a step towards Champions League qualification.
The Reds went into the game knowing Bournemouth could be just six points behind them by the end of the day if they suffered defeat.
Liverpool’s record in May is impressive, but their form under Arne Slot this season has been poor. However, fans were more focused on the fact that Rio Ngumoha actually started and got an assist that Cody Gakpo probably never would have managed had he been playing off the left.
Has Slot made the right call with that front three?
Rio starts against his former club 👀
Liverpool fans highlight impact of Rio Ngumoha vs Cody Gakpo
Liverpool looked sluggish very early on, but it did not take long for the teenager to come alive down the left.
He used his quick feet to move inside and find Ryan Gravenberch, who took a touch before curling it into the Chelsea net.
And fans were quick to point out the difference between Ngumoha starting compared to Gakpo.
One fan wrote: “Look what happens when Rio Ngumoha attacks down the left, three players are on him. It’s a lot different when Gakpo is our LW.”
A second echoed: “Rio Ngumoha you’re him!! Talented player look at that assist Gakpo won’t give you that in the wings.”
“Rio Ngumoha assist. Gakpo in that position…you know the rest,” stated a third.
Another added: “Gravenberch What A Goal and Rio another assist Rio I love you how many times will I say start him instead of Gakpo but Slot won’t bench his son.”
“Gakpo, aren’t you ashamed when you see how the kid stares down the defender?” Asked a fifth.
A sixth Liverpool fan stated in response to the assist: “Put Gakpo here, and he passes it to CBs or loses the ball while trying to dribble.”
It is fantastic to see the teenager starring whenever he is given a rare start, but Slot needs to do it more often.
If we are being honest, the only reason he is actually in the eleven today is because Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike were not available to start.
However, it should hopefully give Slot the encouragement he needs to start the former Chelsea man a lot more moving forward.
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