Slot hails special…

WOLVERHAMPTON, England — Liverpool manager Arne Slot has lavished praise on teenager Rio Ngumoha, calling him “special” after the young player’s impressive performance in the club’s 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.

The 17-year-old star played 69 minutes in the FA Cup fifth-round match at Molineux Stadium, testing goalkeeper Sam Johnstone with an early shot and continuously pressuring the Wolves’ defense.

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Although Ngumoha didn’t score, his performance has led to increased calls for him to receive more playing time, especially as other forwards like Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah struggle this season.

This match marked just Ngumoha’s fourth start and 18th appearance of the season across all competitions.

Reflecting on Ngumoha’s performance, Slot commented to BBC Sport: “It’s special because to influence a match between two Premier League teams at just 17 years old shows how talented he is. However, it’s essential for him to consistently perform at this level, as this experience should bolster his confidence for future away games.”

Second-half goals from Andy Robertson, Salah, and Curtis Jones ensured Liverpool’s triumph in the West Midlands, although Hwang Hee-Chan scored a consolation goal for Wolves. This win provides a vital boost for Slot’s squad as they prepare to face Galatasaray in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday.

Slot remarked, “We generated more chances than in the previous match, which played a key role in our success today. My feelings about the team’s performance change every few days. Just a few days ago, I felt differently. It’s wonderful to reach the FA Cup quarterfinals, but we have another significant game in Istanbul coming up.”

Robertson’s only other goal this season came in September during a Champions League match against Atlético Madrid. His contribution to the win over Wolves was especially gratifying, particularly after Liverpool’s disappointing 2-1 loss to them in the Premier League just three days earlier.

“That was more like the performance we expect,” Robertson told the BBC. “We know we let ourselves down on Tuesday, so it was crucial for us to make amends. The FA Cup is a do-or-die competition.”

Liverpool has become the first team to secure a spot in the FA Cup quarterfinals, scheduled for the first weekend in April, with the remaining matches to determine the other seven contenders taking place over the coming days.

“We’re working hard to compete on all fronts,” Robertson added. “We’re still in two cup competitions. If we play like we did tonight, we will be a challenging opponent for anyone. We need to establish greater consistency—it’s a matter of taking one step forward and then two steps back.”

This report was contributed by the Associated Press.