Arne Slot tells Rio Ngumoha to follow Mohamed Salah's example at Liverpool

Liverpool's 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha delivered a man-of-the-match performance in the Reds' 3-1 FA Cup win over Wolves, with manager Arne Slot urging the teenager to emulate Mohamed Salah's dedication and consistency

Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool beat Wolves on Friday(Image: Getty Images)

Rio Ngumoha has been advised to emulate Mohamed Salah following his outstanding display against Wolves.

The 17-year-old was handed an opportunity at Molineux on Friday and delivered a man-of-the-match showing as the Reds triumphed 3-1 to book their place in the quarterfinals. It marked the teenager's 19th outing across all competitions this season, having announced himself with a spectacular winner against Newcastle earlier in the campaign.

Slot heaped praise on Ngumoha and his contribution, but encouraged the youngster to strive to replicate Salah's commitment and consistency. He said: "A player that, as we know, because we weren't seeing him for the first time, he is able to beat his man in one-v-one situations.

"That is something you don't see a lot in modern football, so good performance from him.

"That is special if you are 17 years old and you can impact a Premier League game — I know it is an FA Cup game, but two Premier League sides — in this manner, that shows that he has a lot of qualities.

"On the other side, there is a player, Mo Salah, who he needs to take the example of.

Rio Ngumoha was given a rare start by Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)

"Being a good player is not so difficult, but being a good player every three days over a long, long period of time is something we are going to work on with him to ensure he can get to those levels."

Slot was effusive in his praise for Ngumoha during his post-match press conference. The Dutchman stated: "Good. I think it's special if you're a 17-year-old and you play in a Premier League match.

"I know it's an FA Cup match, but two Premier League sides playing against each other.

"If you're then able already to impact it with some very good one-v-one situations, that is also what makes him special because there are not many players in modern football that can take one-v-ones on.

"That's something he can. He also — in my opinion — did better than three days ago because he kept the ball more. Three days ago he lost it a few times as well. So, three days ago he also had his impact with his actions.

"Today, he had it as well, but was even better in moments where he had to keep the ball. [It's a] nice game because you face five defenders.

"For a winger, you only have to go to one of the three centre-backs, or defensively, you don't have to do as much as when you face four defenders.

"It was also a nice moment for him to use all his energy for the attacking part and not having to defend as much as when you have to do that when you play against the four at the back."