YOUNG GUNS CAN KOP REDS STARTING BERTH

But Owen urges Slot caution right now

- BY THEO SQUIRES

WHEN Liverpool welcome Barnsley to Anfield tomorrow night, Rio Ngumoha will be hoping to be handed a starting opportunity by Arne Slot.

After all, it was on this day last year when the teenage forward made his Reds debut in the FA Cup third round against Accrington Stanley.

He now boasts 10 senior appearances and he became Liverpool's youngest ever scorer netting the winner against Newcastle last August.

Despite being just 17, some fans think Slot should have used the youngster more especially given Liverpool's struggles in front of goal, but he has been used sparingly to manage him carefully.

Ngumoha has been a regular in Slot's matchday squad, due to the Reds injury woes, but he has been starved of minutes and missed out on academy game-time as a result.

So Liverpool will have the opportunity to hand the highly rated youngster valuable minutes against Barnsley and give him the chance to once again stake his claim.