Why Rio Ngumoha must start Liverpool’s crunch Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain

The dust had not even settled on Liverpool’s win over Fulham on Saturday when talk turned to whether Rio Ngumoha should keep his place in the side against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arne Slot’s men face a huge task to overturn their 2-0 first-leg deficit when they host the Champions League holders in the second leg of their quarter-final at Anfield tonight.

Here, DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall suggests Ngumoha must start against Luis Enrique’s side as Liverpool go in search of another famous European night.

Background

Ngumoha was born and raised in East London and spent time in the youth ranks at West Ham and Arsenal before moving across the capital to join Chelsea.

The England Under-17 international left the Blues to join Liverpool’s Academy in September 2024, and it was clear then his star was on the rise.

At the time, legendary former Chelsea captain John Terry wrote: “This boy is and will be a top player.”

A lively left-sided forward, who can play anywhere across the front line, Ngumoha featured for the U18s and U21s during 2024-25.

He was also handed his senior Reds debut by Arne Slot when he started against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup in January 2025.

Ngumoha went on to impress in pre-season earlier this summer, scoring in a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at Anfield.

That came on the back of an assist against AC Milan and a goal against Yokohama F. Marinos in Asian friendlies – and confirmed he was in Slot’s thinking this season.

Making history in dramatic fashion

Only in his wildest dreams could Rio Ngumoha have imagined he would make such a dramatic impact on his Premier League debut.

Well, fantasy turned to reality for the Liverpool teenager after he found the net to give his side a 3-2 win at Newcastle United last August.

Ngumoha, on as a late substitute, rifled home a superb shot to become their youngest scorer ever, aged 16 years and 361 days.

That winning goal made him the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League history, behind James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney.

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Rising to prominence and scoring at Anfield

In what has been a difficult season for all concerned at Liverpool, Ngumoha has been used sparingly and largely as a substitute.

Despite his tender years, Slot handed the teenager just his second Premier League start during Saturday’s visit of Fulham.

Ngumoha repaid his manager in style by scoring a brilliant 39th-minute opener in Liverpool’s 2-0 win.

Collecting possession from Florian Wirtz inside the left channel,  Ngumoha bewitched Timothy Castagne with a series of step-overs before curling a delightful right-foot shot around Joachim Andersen into the far corner.

In so doing, the winger became Liverpool’s youngest league goalscorer at Anfield, aged 17 years and 225 days, taking a 14-year record that had previously belonged to Raheem Sterling.

Ngumoha was also instrumental in helping to create a second Liverpool goal for Salah before the break, and his overall display certainly pressed his claims to start against PSG.

Will Slot trust the teenager to start such a huge game?

Of course, there is a rawness about Ngumoha given his age, but his pace, strength and skill proved too much for Fulham and could now earn him a start against PSG.

Slot was gushing about the youngster after the win over the Cottagers, saying, “I think he’s ready.

“The question is can he do it again two days later? But would he be able to perform at that level? Yes.”

After recent patchy form, Hugo Ekitike was dropped against Fulham, with Ngumoha picked to start on the left of a three-pronged attack which also included Cody Gakpo and Salah.

With Ekitike and Alexander Isak potentially starting on the bench against PSG tonight, Slot could name the same strikeforce which proved too much for Fulham.

That would mean Ngumoha facing the biggest test of his young career, but it is not likely to faze the teenager.

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What would Ngumoah offer against PSG?

The starlet is blessed with speed, strength and skill with the ability to beat defenders and shoot for goal.

He is right-footed but enjoys cutting infield to create danger for opposition defences.

There is an unpredictability and x-factor to Ngumoah, who will be something of an unknown quantity to PSG.

Bubbling with confidence and self-belief after putting Fulham to the sword, Ngumoah’s presence on Liverpool’s left flank would certainly give Achraf Hakimi plenty to think about.

In a season of transition at Anfield, the emergence of Ngumoah is to be welcomed with open arms, and tonight could be his chance to write another fairytale.

He has done it against Newcastle and Fulham and will now look to do it against the champions of Europe.

The inclusion of Ngumoah might just be what Liverpool need to break PSG’s resistance and maybe, just maybe, conjure yet another Champions League miracle at Anfield. Watch this space.

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