https://x.com/GraemeBailey/status/2095428275933696318
Very good news.
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This season is almost like a watershed season for Rio. He is now being put into a position where he is no longer just an impact sub, he is starting games, he has a coach that believes he can but he is also realising that only 11 players can be on the field at all times and if he gets put into a position where its not his favourite, he has got to learn to grab it and make the best out of having the privilege to be on the field as a starting 11 for Liverpool football club. So far he has not been great on the right, Munoz who is also similarly right footed, seems to have taken to playing on the right better than Rio. So its really now up to Rio to show how much he wants it and how much he can adapt to be a long term career in Liverpool.
Important to remember, when making comparisons like that, that Munoz is five years older than Rio.
When a young player is making his break through and is gentle minutes just sit back and enjoy. The only thing that should āupsetā us is if he doesnāt get enough minutes, like under Slot!
Talk is its on hold.
He wants to play on left and now has Gakpo and Barcola in his way.
Young Rio did ok out there last night even if he didnāt always come out on top against Udogie, the first came from him trying to make something happen before getting a bit of good fortune, involved in the 2nd with a crisp pass across to Kerkez in space (who oddly found himself in the 10 position) and Gakpo ends up finishing off a nice move. His pass to Koumas was a little something different to what weāre used toā¦the kind of pass Eze/Palmer etc get lauded for. Needs to add some robustness to the defensive side but then again not many 18 year olds are the finished products.
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Yes, I think itās the defensive contribution where heās a little wanting compared to for example Munoz. A little extra there and heāll be very close to being a starting consideration.
Should we be worried ?
Have the feeling he wonāt be here for the long term.
Heās an elite talent on the left. Nightmare for defenders in 1v1.
Coming from the right side heās easier to defend and I donāt think heās a big goal threat from there.
At least heās get plenty of minutes now.
But what happens if we sign a first choice right winger (Minteh) next summer or even in Januar?
Long term backup for Barcola? How long will he be happy with that?
With us keeping Gakpo and Barcola - both young - I think he might start looking at his options.
He doesnt work on the right.
Theres talk of us offering him or Wirtz for Olisse who wants to leave Bayern next year and wants to play for us. (take that as you will).
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Heās 6 years younger than Barcola and 9 years younger than Gakpo.
That shouldnāt be really a topic for him right now, competing with players of that calibre. Heās 1 of our 4 main wingers in the first team and weāre using basically all of our wingers on both sides, plus some of them can play elsewhere. So there is more than enough on the table for him to eat.
The worry shouldnāt only be from one side, oh what will Rio Ngumoha thinkā¦ boy, you also need to compete and show youāre good enough to remain where you are now and where you want to be.
Iād say itās more a question for Gakpo in the now and very near future, whether he wants to battle it out with Barcola on the left or is ready for a new challenge.
Rio and his entourage have all the right in the world to feel troubled by that, but I wouldnāt lose sleep over it, because he also has progression ahead of him if he wants to be what he wants to be.
I think he will sign and then whether he ever becomes a regular starter here or a key player, thatās still a long way to go. As always, we either get that or we are secured with a contract and market value.
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I think heĀ“s been a bit overrated and expectations too high because of a few tricks but heĀ“s still young so no rush with him.
He needs to learn to just lay it off quickly and understand that a simple pass can be the best one.
That said, that pass for Koumas was very encouraging. Very good vision and awareness, so he does have it in him. Lets just take our time with him. We have wide options so there is no pressure.
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He showed it in that game for England also, if he plays off the right, itās not like he has to be stuck out wide and just play like an Aaron Lennon or something.
With his skills, he can absolutely come inside and do some damage there. He has the technical and speed ability to do it. Itās more about decision making and understanding between players.
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Totally agree on overrated. Yes heās decent but had the step over and thatās it. He needs to find something else when a defender doesnt fall for it.
He did really well in 2nd half v A Madrid as he changed his approach so does have it in him
He isnt fully develop yet so maybe bulking a bit will help him out as at moment he is easily muscled off the ball.
We saw vs Newcastle and a very solid LB he struggled because he just wanted to do a step over and go to the right. If he learns to go both ways, heĀ“ll be wayyy more effective.
HeĀ“s also not THAT quick so he does kind of need to.
Agreed, he does have it in him and as he gets older and stronger that will help. Plenty of time for him so I think itĀ“s all in hand.
Maybe Gakpo goes next summer and itll all work out for him
Iād give them both in a heartbeat.
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Given how much the club have invested in Ngumohaās progress and in Barcola, Iād wager a guess that Gakpo will leave next summer (unless he suffers a serious injury in the meantime). Ngumoha shouldnāt be playing on the right as it negates his biggest qualities but the squad building hasnāt really been a bright spot on our club during the last couple of years.
Rio is a great example of how sometimes being too good at youth level can impact your development. At that level no one can live with the things he is already exceptional at and that success makes it difficult to focus on the things he needs to improve, because those things just arent exposed.
He is good enough to get by, to a degree, even at this level on the few things he does well, but there is a lot he has to bring to his game to really establish himself.
I think there is a pretty good argument that as long as he isnāt being buried by the troubles it causes him, and it doesnāt hurt us a team, he and we are best rewarded by forcing him to play on the right now where is going to be less able to lean on the few things he already does well and really accelerate his development. I think this is especially true if he does periodically get allowed to go back to where he is more comfortable to test out some of the new things heāll have hopefully added to his game.
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On the right his problem imo was protecting the ball when he comes inside. I think he has shown improvement in this.
My only question is is this level the best for his development and a setting where he gets enough game time. This isnāt for me to decide, just question, Iām sure the coaches know much better than me.
All I can do is wish him well.
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