Jamie Carragher makes Rio Ngumoha prediction for Galatasaray game after Tottenham display

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Having been handed his first Premier League start against Tottenham, Rio Ngumoha will be aiming for another opportunity in the Champions League against Galatasaray

Rio Ngumoha will be aiming for another start for Liverpool in the Champions League(Image: Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher has predicted Rio Ngumoha will start again for Liverpool against Galatasaray following his first Premier League start for the club.

The Reds will turn their attention to overturning a 1-0 deficit in their Champions League last-16 tie as the Turkish champions visit Anfield on Wednesday. Arne Slot’s side will be hoping for a better outcome after hitting yet another low on Sunday against Tottenham.

Liverpool once again conceded late to throw away a winning position, and miss out on the chance to climb up to fourth and give its hopes of landing a place at Europe’s top table next season a major boost.

One bright spark for the Reds though was Ngumoha, with the 17-year-old finally given his first league start after growing calls from the likes of Steven Gerrard.

He played just over an hour before making way, which may hint at him having a role to play against Galatasaray on Wednesday — or so Carragher thinks at least.

“The big decision for Arne Slot will be who plays on the left-hand side in midweek - [Cody] Gakpo or Ngumoha - and for me, I think it will be Ngumoha,” Carragher said while commentating on Sky Sports.

Jamie Carragher is expecting Rio Ngumoha to start again for Liverpool against Galatasaray(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))

“[Mohamed] Salah and [Hugo] Ekitike will come back in and then it is who plays on that left hand side.”

Carragher was full of praise for Ngumoha throughout the game against Tottenham, having also been one of the pundits advocating for him to be given more opportunities by Slot.

The Liverpool boss has exercised caution with the teenager thus far, although he did concede that the time was right to give him his full Premier League debut on Sunday. Whether he will be given another chance to start on Wednesday remains to be seen.

"He enjoyed it as well and I enjoyed it also,” Slot said on Ngumoha’s performance. “He has developed very well throughout the season.

"He is 17 and now he has had his first Premier League start. He was a constant threat and that was definitely one of the positives to take from the game today."

Liverpool.com says: It can always feel like a risk throwing in such a young player from the start. At this point though, who is making more of a case to start ahead of Ngumoha on the left wing?

His minutes do of course need to be managed carefully - we don’t want another Stefan Bajcetic situation on our hands. But if he’s ready to go again on Wednesday, then Ngumoha should be given another opportunity against Galatasaray.