Liverpool need a reaction at Selhurst Park today, and I believe Andoni Iraola should make two important selection decisions.
Start Rio Ngumoha. Start Trey Nyoni.
It really shouldn’t be that difficult.
Liverpool have lost their last two matches against Arsenal and Fenerbahçe, performances have been nowhere near good enough, and there are questions about several senior players who simply aren’t producing consistently.
So why not give two youngsters who have shown genuine promise the opportunity to make a difference?
This isn’t about throwing young players into the team for the sake of it. It’s about rewarding performances, giving the team some much-needed energy and making sure places in the starting XI are earned.
Ngumoha offers something Liverpool are missing
I want to see Rio Ngumoha starting on the left wing.
The teenager brings something different to Liverpool’s attack. He is direct, fearless and prepared to take defenders on. He wants to get at his opponent, attack space and make things happen rather than constantly playing the safe pass.
That is exactly what Liverpool need at the moment.
Against Arsenal, our attacking play lacked penetration. Against Fenerbahçe, there were moments when we looked short of ideas and struggled to maintain pressure.
Ngumoha can change that.
He might be young, and there will naturally be occasions when things don’t come off, but I’d much rather see him trying to beat a defender than watching Liverpool’s attack become predictable.
We cannot keep complaining about a lack of creativity and then leave one of our most exciting attacking youngsters on the bench.
Let him play.
Nyoni deserves to keep his place
The case for Trey Nyoni is equally strong.
His performance against Fenerbahçe was one of the positives from an extremely disappointing night in Istanbul. He scored his first Champions League goal, showed composure and demonstrated why so many Liverpool supporters are excited about his potential.
He has also been given opportunities in recent weeks and has shown that he can compete at senior level.
With Ryan Gravenberch still a doubt because of his heel problem, I see absolutely no reason to leave Nyoni out.
In fact, I would argue that he deserves to start regardless.
I have been saying for some time that Liverpool need a better-balanced midfield. Nyoni alongside Alexis Mac Allister is an option I want Iraola to explore further.
It offers technical quality, energy and the ability to move the ball forward. It also allows Florian Wirtz to operate in his natural No.10 position, where I believe he can have a greater influence on our attacking play.
Reputation cannot guarantee a starting place
This is where Iraola has to be ruthless.
Some of our more experienced players have not been performing well enough, and there should be no automatic places in this Liverpool team.
Dominik Szoboszlai has quality, but I don’t believe the manager should keep changing the midfield simply to accommodate him.
Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola also need to produce more consistently. Their places should be under pressure if Ngumoha and the other attacking options are showing greater hunger and effectiveness.
Competition is healthy. It should push everybody to improve.
Iraola has inherited a squad that needs rebuilding, and he cannot do that without giving younger players opportunities. If Nyoni and Ngumoha are good enough to contribute, they should be trusted.
Palace away is the perfect opportunity
This will not be an easy afternoon.
Selhurst Park is a difficult ground, and Liverpool cannot afford to underestimate Crystal Palace. However, Palace have been struggling in the Premier League, have gone three consecutive league games without scoring and will be without the suspended Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Liverpool have to take advantage.
After losing twice, the priority is getting back to winning ways. That requires intensity, confidence and players prepared to take responsibility.
I’d like to see a Liverpool side that presses with purpose, moves the ball quicker and gets the forwards involved much earlier.
Ngumoha and Nyoni can help provide that energy.
My Liverpool XI against Crystal Palace
I’d go with:
Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.
That gives Nyoni another opportunity alongside Mac Allister, Wirtz his preferred No.10 role and Ngumoha the chance to cause problems from the left.
There is plenty of experience in that team, but also some youthful energy and players who should be hungry to make their mark.
Iraola needs to be brave
I am still backing Iraola and I believe he deserves time to build his own Liverpool team.
But backing the manager doesn’t mean agreeing with every selection decision.
He has to recognise when certain players aren’t performing and be prepared to give others their opportunity.
Nyoni and Ngumoha have shown enough to deserve that trust.
Liverpool need three points today, but they also need to start building a team based on form, balance and potential rather than reputation.
Start the youngsters, give them responsibility and let them show what they can do.
Sometimes the answer is sitting right in front of you.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
But we know he will play the one dimensional Gakpo and the one trick pony Sbozman.