OWEN: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Former Anfield star reckons Ngumoha & Nyoni can flourish at Liverpool if they are patient

- BY THEO SQUIRES

MICHAEL OWEN has backed Liverpool's teenage stars to succeed at Anfield - but he believes it will take time for them to nail down spots in the first team.

Owen has experienced the pressure that comes with being a talented academy prospect, having burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old for Liverpool.

The former England striker won the Premier League Golden Boot in 1998 as he scored 18 goals for the Reds while still a teenager.

Now, Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni are the highly rated youngsters pushing to become the latest Kop idols.

When Liverpool welcome Barnsley to Anfield tomorrow night, the Reds duo will be hoping to be handed starting opportunities by Arne Slot.

It was on this day last year that Ngumoha made his Liverpool debut in the FA Cup third round against Accrington Stanley, after all.

The forward now boasts 10 senior appearances to his name and he became Liverpool's youngest ever goalscorer when netting the winner against Newcastle back in August.

But despite being just 17 years old, some Reds supporters think Slot should have used the youngster more - especially given Liverpool's struggles in front of goal at times this season.

Ngumoha and Nyoni could be handed some valuable minutes against the Tykes tomorrow night as Slot weighs up his options in attack.

But Owen, speaking on behalf of Casino.org, has warned his former club against overusing the pair before they are truly ready.

He said: “In time, maybe (they will be good enough to start more). But at the minute, they have got to do their apprenticeship a little bit.

“Training with the first team is going to help them. Being part of that squad, bringing them on for game time.