Liverpool‘s FA Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion was uplifting for a whole host of reasons. Arne Slot‘s side have secured passage through to the fifth round, for one.
But Liverpool have also made it back-to-back wins, and there are signs that they have turned a corner in recent weeks after so many problems throughout the campaign.
However, there have been false dawns before, and Slot will now need to utilise his wider squad if he is to make it a title-winning season.
Take Rio Ngumoha, for example. The 17-year-old scored a perfectly good goal against Brighton, chalked off due to the absence of VAR.
The young forward has the world at his feet, and Slot must start giving him a bigger platform to demonstrate his quality. That said, the Anfield side look like they are working on a deal for a new left winger.
Liverpool frontrunners for Premier League winger
Against Brighton on Saturday evening, Cody Gakpo put in a strong performance, confident and purposeful on the ball.
His cross-field whip found Mohamed Salah after a period of Seagulls dominance in the second half. Salah cushioned the ball into Dominik Szoboszlai‘s path, and Liverpool’s star man rifled home.
Gakpo, however, has been something of a scapegoat as Liverpool have struggled this season, and at times, not unjustly. While fans wouldn’t want Ngumoha’s pathway to be blocked, you can see why FSG want to strengthen.
In fact, Liverpool may have already found their ideal target in Anthony Gordon. According to Caught Offside, they are the frontrunners in the race for the Newcastle United star, with Arsenal and Manchester City trailing behind.
Talks may have already opened for the potential transfer of Gordon, 24, though the source at hand was wary about placing definitives on that.
Newcastle value the one-time Liverpool academy star at £95m. It’s unlikely FSG would sanction a deal at that price after poor returns in front of goal from the Englishman.
Expect a lesser fee, and expect Liverpool’s coaching staff to have what it takes to help Gordon realise his potential.
Why Ngumoha would suffer from Gordon’s arrival
Liverpool will not retain their Premier League title this season. Arsenal are too far ahead. However, the FA Cup and Champions League titles remain within reach.
However, Liverpool will be among the favourites to secure England’s top prize next year, and renewed interest in Gordon is a sign that sporting director Richard Hughes recognises the need to arm Slot with a contrast to Gakpo.
The thing is, though, Liverpool opted against signing a left-sided forward last summer, even after Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich for £65.5m. The reason for this was the emergence of Ngumoha, a youngster who has done little to dissuade his fans this season, few though his opportunities have been.
Of course, Gordon is a proven Premier League star, one of the most prominent faces in the division. Since leaving Everton and signing for the Magpies in a £45m deal in January 2023, he has played a crucial role across two Champions League campaigns and last year’s triumphant Carabao Cup bid.
Fast and furious, the Three Lions star has described himself as a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, though he has only posted nine goals and eight assists since the start of the previous top-flight term.
Gordon has previously reached the top, though. He was Newcastle’s Player of the Season in 2023/24, a brilliant bright spark as Eddie Howe’s side succumbed to so many injuries.
There would be an anticipation on Merseyside that Liverpool and Slot could bring him back to top form, though it’s important that this wouldn’t affect Ngumoha in his own quest for success in the first team.
Ngumoha, after all, netted a last-gasp winner at Gordon’s St. James’ Park back in August, and the teenager believes he “can win the Ballon d’Or one day“.
|
Youngest Scorers in Premier League History |
||
|---|---|---|
|
# |
Player |
Age |
|
1 |
James Vaughan |
16 yrs, 8 months, 27 days |
|
2 |
James Milner |
16 yrs, 11 months, 22 days |
|
3 |
Wayne Rooney |
16 yrs, 11 months, 25 days |
|
4 |
Rio Ngumoha |
16 yrs, 11 months, 26 days |
|
5 |
Cesc Fabregas |
17 yrs, 3 months, 21 days |
Ngumoha is proving himself capable of playing a big part in Liverpool’s journey over the coming years. He is more than just an exciting talent: he is a superstar waiting to emerge.
With fleet footwork and composure in front of goal that belies his young years and inexperience, Ngumoha is the real deal, and while a move for Gordon to contrast with Gakpo is interesting, Hughes and Slot must weigh up the pros and cons.
They must determine whether such a move would have a detrimental impact on Ngumoha. Wasn’t that what stopped Liverpool from signing a Diaz replacement last summer?
Fewer touches than Alisson & 100% duels lost: Liverpool dud must be dropped
Liverpool progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a win over Brighton & Hove Albion last night.