Steven Gerrard has already told Arne Slot who he must start against Galatasaray

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Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard have urged Arne Slot to give Rio Ngumoha more starting opportunities after the 17-year-old's impressive FA Cup performance against Wolves

Steven Gerrard wants to see Rio Ngumoha given more minutes(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot has been given guidance from former Premier League player Joe Cole about why he should offer Rio Ngumoha more consistent starting chances for Liverpool moving forward.

The Reds are preparing to face Galatasaray in the opening leg of their last-16 Champions League encounter. Ngumoha was handed a rare start for Liverpool in the team's 3-1 victory over Wolves in the FA Cup at Molineux last Friday, where he produced an exceptional display for the Reds.

The exciting teenager has been repeatedly identified for greater involvement for Liverpool this campaign, particularly after his impressive substitute outings in the Premier League.

Ngumoha has made 18 appearances this season across all competitions, including 11 in the Premier League and 2 in the Champions League.

The 17-year-old entered as a substitute during the wins over Atletico Madrid and Qarabag throughout the league phase of the competition, and stayed an unused substitute for the remaining six matches.

With a Champions League test approaching this week and further Premier League games on the horizon, alongside an FA Cup quarterfinal, Cole — who played 42 times for the Reds from 2010-13 — has encouraged Slot to grant more opportunities to Ngumoha.

Rio Ngumoha is hoping to start against Galatasaray(Image: Getty Images)

"I would definitely start him," Cole told Paddy Power.

"What he gives you is powerful dribbling, that sort of asterisk that somebody is a little bit different, a little bit of a maverick.

"Liverpool, particularly with Salah at the moment not being as explosive as he once was, they need that in the front three.

"What an opportunity for him. Go and stake your claim. They could really do with a young player really emerging and forcing his way into the starting line-up. He's got so much talent, this kid."

Cole's remarks come just days after Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard similarly explained why Ngumoha warranted a spot in the Reds' starting XI.

Gerrard offered his analysis after Liverpool's loss to Wolves in the Premier League last week, which took place just three days before Ngumoha started at the same venue in an FA Cup victory.

"Has to start Ngumoha now," Gerrard told TNT Sports on March 3.

"He has to start him because he's coming on and he's doing more in a short cameo in a short space of time than (Cody) Gakpo's doing in 65, 70 minutes. He deserves to start now."