Liverpool news as Arne Slot has Rio Ngumoha verdict after Jamie Carragher demand

Alexis Mac Allister scored a 97th-minute winner as Liverpool defeated Nottingham Forest 1-0, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha's cameo changing the Premier League game

Rio Ngumoha impressed against Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)

Some Liverpool players faced criticism despite securing a vital 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

The Reds' visit to the City Ground yielded three points courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister's 97th-minute goal. The triumph, Liverpool's consecutive second 1-0 away league win, didn't prevent Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo from receiving flak for their underwhelming attacking display against the struggling hosts.

Arne Slot's choice to withdraw them and introduce Rio Ngumoha proved pivotal, as the Reds found a stoppage-time winner. The Liverpool boss offered his candid assessment of the teenager's prospects, while Jamie Carragher called on the Reds boss to make a bold selection choice amid the Champions League qualification race. Here, Liverpool.com rounds up the latest news from Anfield...

Slot's Ngumoha verdict

Ngumoha's introduction in the 77th minute transformed the match for Liverpool.

During a largely subdued attacking display from the reigning champions, the teenager's energetic performance contributed to Mac Allister's opening goal, which was subsequently ruled out for handball following a VAR review.

The Argentine netted once more from close quarters in the 97th minute, with the goal standing to secure a vital three points for the Reds. The 17-year-old received widespread acclaim from pundits, including Carragher, Daniel Sturridge, and his manager, Slot.

Jamie Carragher is among those who want to see Ngumoha selected more frequently(Image: Getty Images)

"He gets stronger and stronger," Slot said of Ngumoha. "Apart from his moment when he had his one-v-one, there were also one or two other moments where he stands his ground.

"That is what you need because you face 25, 26, 27, 28-year-old athletes mainly as your opponents, because we are a bit of an exception in terms of our age group of players. Most teams have players of different ages and physicality."

Despite growing calls for Ngumoha to receive increased playing time, Slot insisted his teenage prospect requires more than raw ability to succeed at the highest level. He added: "For him to show this already at 17 years of age, it says something about his talent.

"But as we all know, talent is only the start of his career. You need so many other things, we have shown today; Macca (Mac Allister) a great example of mentality, and that is something you need to have a career at this level."

Carragher's demand

Among those who praised the teenager's brief appearance was Carragher, who delivered a scathing assessment of the underwhelming displays from Salah and Gakpo.

The Reds legend argued that Ngumoha warrants a place in Slot's starting XI due to what he brings to an attack currently lacking speed and creativity.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: "Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah and Gakpo did before that. He changed the game and needs to be starting games.

"I think at some stage, Rio Ngumoha has got to come into the team, or he may have to go with another midfield player, or lose a Gakpo or a Salah. I think Liverpool's penetration and pace in the wide areas is really lacking."