Liverpool’s FA Cup victory over Brighton & Hove Albion was elated for a number of reasons. For example, Arne Slot’s side is guaranteed to advance to the fifth round.
However, Liverpool are also on a winning streak, and although they have had many problems throughout the season, there have been signs that they have turned a corner in recent weeks.
However, there have been false dawns before, and Slott will need to utilize a wider range of squads if he is to have a title-winning season.
Take Rio Ngumoja, for example. The 17-year-old scored a perfect goal against Brighton but was sent off for chalk due to lack of VAR.
This young forward has the world at his feet and Slott must start giving him a bigger platform to prove his quality. That said, the Anfield side appear to be working on signing a new left-winger.
Liverpool’s top candidate for Premier League winger
Kodi Gakpo put in a strong performance against Brighton on Saturday night, handling the ball with confidence and purpose.
In the second half, his crossfield whip caught Mohamed Salah after the Seagulls had the upper hand. Salah put the ball into the path of Dominik Szoboszlai and Liverpool’s star man fired home.
But Gakpo has been something of a scapegoat at times, not unreasonably, for Liverpool’s struggles this season. Fans won’t want Ngumoha’s path to be hindered, but I can see why FSG would want to strengthen.
In fact, Liverpool may have already found their ideal target in Anthony Gordon. According to Caught Offside, Newcastle United are the frontrunners in the race to sign the star, with Arsenal and Manchester City close behind.
Talks may have already begun over a potential move for the 24-year-old, but officials were cautious about making a final decision on the matter.
Newcastle value the former Liverpool academy star at £95m. FSG are unlikely to approve a deal at that price following the Englishman’s poor returns in front of goal.
Expect to be paid less and hope that Liverpool’s coaching staff has what it takes to realize Gordon’s potential.
Why Ngumoha is distressed by Gordon’s arrival
Liverpool cannot retain the Premier League title this season. Arsenal are too far ahead. However, the FA Cup and Champions League titles remain within reach.
But Liverpool will be among the favorites to win England’s top prize next year and the renewed interest in Gordon shows sporting director Richard Hughes recognizes the need to strengthen the slot opposite Gakpo.
But the problem is that even after Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich for £65.5m last summer, Liverpool still objected to signing the left-sided forward. The reason for this was the emergence of Ngmoha, a youngster who has had few chances this season but has done little to deter fans.
Gordon, of course, is a proven star in the Premier League and one of the most prominent names in the division. Since leaving Everton in January 2023 to sign for the Magpies in a £45m deal, he has played a key role in two Champions League campaigns and last year’s triumphant Carabao Cup appearance.
The Three Lions star, who is fast and furious and describes himself as a “nightmare for the opponents we play against”, has only scored nine goals and provided eight assists since the start of the first half of the top flight.
However, Gordon has reached the top before. He was named Newcastle’s player of the year for the 2023/24 season, shining brightly amid injury-plagued conditions for Eddie Howe’s side.
There will be hopes on Merseyside that Liverpool and Slott will return him to top form, but it is important that this does not affect Ngmoha’s own quest for first-team success.
After all, Ngmoha scored the winning goal in the last minute at Gordon’s St James’s Park in August, and the teenager believes he can “win the Ballon d’Or one day”.
Youngest scorer in Premier League history | ||
|---|---|---|
# | player | year |
1 | james vaughan | 16 years, 8 months, 27 days |
2 | james milner | 16 years, 11 months, 22 days |
3 | wayne rooney | 16 years, 11 months, 25 days |
4 | Ngumoha River | 16 years, 11 months, 26 days |
5 | Cesc Fabregas | 17 years, 3 months, 21 days |
Ngmoha is proving that he can play a big part in Liverpool’s journey over the next few years. He’s not just an exciting talent, he’s a superstar waiting to emerge.
Ngmoha is the real deal, with his nimble footwork and composure in front of goal that belies his youth and inexperience, and it will be interesting to see Gordon contrast with Gakpo, but Hughes and Slott will have to weigh the pros and cons.
They need to decide whether such a move would have a negative impact on Ngumoha. Wasn’t that what stopped Liverpool from signing a replacement for Dias last summer?
Fewer touches than Alisson, loses 100% of duels: Liverpool’s underachiever must be dropped
Liverpool reached the fifth round of the FA Cup with a win over Brighton & Hove Albion last night.
