'Different from Rio' – Arne Slot compares Ekitike and Ngumoha's roles on the wing

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has shed light on the tactical options at his disposal ahead of the Merseyside derby at Anfield, singling out teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha as a reference point while discussing Hugo Ekitike's versatility.

Ngumoha has emerged as one of Liverpool's most exciting attacking prospects and has all the trademarks of a winger destined for greatness.  

Last month, the England youth international of Nigerian descent etched his name into Liverpool's history books by becoming the club's youngest player to score a Premier League match-winner at just 16 years and 361 days.

The teenager's rise continued on Wednesday night as he broke new ground once again, making his debut in a major European competition at 17 years and 19 days – the youngest ever to do so for the Reds.

Speaking at Friday's press conference before the visit of Everton, Slot was asked whether he would consider deploying new signings Alexandre Isak and Ekitike together as a front two.

The Dutch tactician acknowledged the possibility but highlighted how Ekitike's approach differs from Ngumoha's. 

"Hugo can indeed also play from the left differently from Cody [Gakpo] or Rio [Ngumoha] and that’s the good thing about our squad, we have multiple options," Slot told Liverpool's official website.

"But first of all they all have to stay fit to have these options and if some of them are not fit then we might have to use them both in a 4-4-2.

"That all depends on the form of them and how many players we have available.

"All of them are fit now and I think I can maybe choose between 21 players, so that’s quite normal. It’s not that it’s far too much."

Nguomha turned 17 on August 29, 2025 and is now eligible to sign his first professional contract with Liverpool, a year after he was poached from Chelsea.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com