Rio Ngumoha already backed for shock World Cup call-up as Liverpool chance could open

Liverpool boss Arne Slot is facing calls to give Rio Ngumoha more opportunities this season, and one pundit has already suggested a World Cup call-up could be on offer for him

Rio Ngumoha could get the chance to make a late charge for England's World Cup squad(Image: Getty Images)

Rio Ngumoha could be about to get more chances at Liverpool - and one pundit has already suggested that could lead to a shock call-up for this summer’s World Cup.

Arne Slot is facing increasing calls to hand the 17-year-old his first Premier League start after he impressed once again off the bench against Nottingham Forest, with his impact helping the Reds secure a last-gasp victory.

Although Ngumoha has become a regular feature in Liverpool’s first-team squad this season, he has had to remain patient for his opportunities, with just three of his 15 senior appearances coming from the start, and all of those came in either the Carabao Cup or FA Cup.

With Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo misfiring though, Jamie Carragher is among those calling for Ngumoha to start getting more minutes.

"Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah and Gakpo did before that. He changed the game and needs to be starting games,” Carragher said after Liverpool’s win at Forest.

The teenager has gained plenty of admirers since making the move to Anfield in 2024, and even with his career still very much in its infancy, he has been tipped for a surprise place in England’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Rio Ngumoha impressed with his performance off the bench in Liverpool's win over Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)

Ngumoha is yet to make the step up to the senior international side, with England’s U19s as far as he’s got so far, but Troy Deeney suggested back in September that he could find himself on the plane to the United States.

“This is England. We always do something stupid, don’t we?” Deeney told talkSPORT.

“It’s like when we took Theo Walcott, because he was a young kid and he was rapid. And obviously, Theo went on to have a great career.

“But who knows. If Rio keeps playing and being involved like he is now, and scores seven or eight goals, he could probably go.

“There’s a few [players] like that, that you’d have to just watch and see.”

Liverpool.com says: There are often one or two surprising calls in England’s World Cup squads, but it’s surely too soon for Ngumoha to be considered, even if he ends up starting every game for Liverpool between now and the end of the season.

Everybody likes to reference Walcott’s call-up as a reason why there might be a major shock, but that was 20 years ago now. You can’t imagine something like that happening again these days.

It does feel like the right time for Ngumoha to start getting more chances with Liverpool though. If he continues to impress, then that first England call-up might not be too far away, but the World Cup feels too soon.