RIO'S NOT NEXT ROONEY - BUT HAS BIG FUTURE

Ex-Red Owen on Liverpool youngsters

- 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.

It was on this day last year when the teenager made his Reds debut in the FA Cup third round against Accrington Stanley, after all.

Fast forward 12 months, and with the same stage of football's most famous domestic cup competition having come round once again, the forward now boasts 10 senior appearances to his name. Meanwhile, he became Liverpool's youngest ever goalscorer when netting the winner against Newcastle United 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.

It is true that he has been used sparingly as the Reds look to manage him carefully, with their injury woes ensuring that while Ngumoha has been a regular in the Slot’s matchday squad this season, he has also been starved off minutes and missed out on academy game-time as a result.

Consequently, Liverpool will have the opportunity to hand the highly-rated youngster some valuable minutes against Barnsley and give Ngumoha the opportunity to once again stake his claim. He won't be the only one either, with fellow teenager Trey Nyoni also in contention to come into the Reds starting XI against the ‘Tykes as Slot weighs up his options.

But having burst onto the stage himself as a 17-year-old for Liverpool, Michael Owen, speaking to the ECHO on behalf of Casino.org where he is UK ambassador - which helps players find the best casino online options in Britain, has warned his former club against overusing the pair before they are truly ready - insisting they are not yet better than the senior alternatives available to Slot despite supporter hype.