Arne Slot praises teenager Rio Ngumoha after Liverpool FA Cup win

Rio Ngumoha impresses in Liverpool’s FA Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arne Slot calls the 17-year-old “special” after standout display at Molineux
Liverpool FC advance to the FA Cup quarterfinals with a 3-1 win

Liverpool FC manager Arne Slot praised teenage forward Rio Ngumoha after the 17-year-old impressed in Friday’s 3-1 FA Cup victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ngumoha played 69 minutes of the fifth-round tie at Molineux Stadium and caused constant problems for the Wolves defense. The young forward forced an early save from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and repeatedly threatened during a lively performance.

Although Ngumoha did not score, his display is likely to increase calls for him to receive more regular opportunities, particularly with attackers Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah struggling for form this season.

Reflecting on the teenager’s performance, Slot said the impact he made at such a young age highlighted his potential.

“Special because if you’re 17 years old and you can impact two Premier League sides facing each other then that tells you how good of a player he is,” Slot told BBC Sport.

“But it is up to him to bring this every time. This should give him a lot of confidence to show this in an away game.”

Second-half goals from Andy Robertson, Salah and Curtis Jones secured Liverpool’s victory in the West Midlands before Hwang Hee-Chan scored a late consolation for Wolves.

The win provided a timely response after Wolves had beaten Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier League earlier in the week.

“We created more than we did in the last game and that is the reason we could win it today,” Slot said. “Every three days I have a different feeling. Three days ago my feeling was completely different to now. It is good to be in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.”

Liverpool now turn their attention to European competition, with a trip to face Galatasaray in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie in Istanbul on Tuesday.

Robertson said the team responded well after their recent defeat.

“That was a bit more like it,” Robertson told BBC Sport. “We know we let ourselves down earlier in the week. It was up to us to go and put it right. The FA Cup is do or die.”

Liverpool became the first team to secure a place in the FA Cup quarterfinals, with the remaining ties scheduled over the coming days. The quarterfinal matches are due to be played during the first weekend of April.

“We are trying to fight on all fronts,” Robertson said. “We are still in two cup competitions. If we play like we did tonight then nobody wants to play against us.

“But we have to start showing that consistency.”

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Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.