Liverpool have entered a new era.
Mohamed Salah has gone, and one of the biggest questions facing Andoni Iraola is how Liverpool replace a player who was so influential for so many years.
One name that keeps coming up is Rio Ngumoha.
And I have to admit, I’m fascinated by the possibility.
But there is also a huge question that Liverpool need to answer:
Are they really expecting a teenager who has only just broken into the first team to replace Mohamed Salah?
From hardly playing to replacing a legend?
This is what makes the situation so intriguing.
Ngumoha is still only 17.
He was largely used sparingly during his breakthrough season and has predominantly played from his natural position on the left wing. Recent reports say Liverpool are now considering using him on the right, the position Salah occupied for so many years.
That is an enormous responsibility.
Salah isn’t simply another winger Liverpool need to replace.
He’s a club legend.
He’s been one of the most productive attackers in Liverpool’s history and spent years making the right side of the Reds’ attack his own.
Now, suddenly, Ngumoha could be asked to fill that enormous void.
But perhaps Liverpool aren’t asking him to replace Salah immediately
This is the important distinction.
I don’t think Liverpool should be looking at Ngumoha and saying:
“You’re our new Salah.”
That’s unfair to the player.
Instead, they should be saying:
“Can you become our long-term answer on the right?”
That’s a completely different proposition.
Ngumoha has already shown enough to suggest that he has enormous potential, and he has reportedly been open to playing on either flank.
If Iraola can gradually introduce him on the right, give him minutes and allow him to learn the position without enormous pressure, Liverpool could potentially have something special.
But the Barcola situation tells us something
Liverpool’s continued pursuit of Bradley Barcola is particularly interesting.
If Ngumoha was already considered the definitive replacement for Salah, why would Liverpool be willing to spend such a huge amount on another winger?
That tells me Liverpool don’t completely trust themselves to rely on Ngumoha yet.
And I think that’s absolutely right.
The teenager could become a superstar.
But Liverpool cannot put the weight of replacing Salah entirely onto a 17-year-old.
Barcola, or another established winger, would give Iraola an experienced option while Ngumoha develops.
The right wing could become Ngumoha’s opportunity
There is something incredibly exciting about this, though.
Ngumoha’s natural position is on the left.
But learning to play on the right could actually make him a much more complete attacker.
He has already indicated that he is comfortable playing on either side, with the youngster saying being unpredictable from both flanks is important.
Imagine him eventually becoming comfortable enough to play either wing.
That would make him incredibly valuable to Iraola.
And perhaps, somewhere down the line, he really could become Salah’s successor.
Don’t rush him
This is where Liverpool need to be careful.
Ngumoha shouldn’t be expected to score 20 or 25 goals.
He shouldn’t be expected to create the same numbers Salah did.
He shouldn’t be compared with one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s modern history every time he loses possession.
He’s a teenager.
Let him develop.
Give him minutes.
Let him make mistakes.
Allow him to learn the right-wing position.
And most importantly, take the pressure off him.
But what if he is ready?
That’s the exciting part.
What if Iraola discovers that Ngumoha is actually better on the right?
What if his direct running, pace and confidence make him a nightmare for Premier League full-backs?
What if playing him away from his usual position unlocks another level?
We simply don’t know yet.
And that’s why this is such an intriguing storyline going into the new season.
Liverpool need a safety net
For me, the ideal situation is simple.
Sign an established winger.
Give Ngumoha opportunities on the right.
Don’t expect him to be Salah.
Let him become Rio Ngumoha.
If Barcola arrives, for example, Liverpool could have an incredibly exciting situation.
Barcola can provide immediate quality while Ngumoha continues developing.
Wirtz can create.
Isak can finish.
Barcola can provide explosive pace.
And Ngumoha can gradually grow into his new role.
That is far healthier than throwing everything onto a 17-year-old.
Could he eventually be Salah’s replacement?
Yes.
Could he replace Salah right now?
That’s a completely different question.
The potential is certainly there, and Liverpool are reportedly exploring the possibility of using him on the right.
But replacing a legend isn’t something that happens overnight.
Maybe Liverpool aren’t looking for the next Mohamed Salah.
Maybe they’re looking for the first Rio Ngumoha.
And if Iraola gets this right, Liverpool supporters could eventually look back and realise that the answer to the post-Salah question was already sitting at Anfield.
The question is whether Liverpool are prepared to give him the time he needs to become it.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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