Liverpool: Arne Slot needs one signing to complete attack after Rio Ngumoha emergence, Champions League finalist claims

Liverpool will be well-covered in attack with the signing of Alexander Isak thanks to the emergence of Rio Ngumoha, a former Reds Champions League finalist believes.

Liverpool will be well-covered in attack if they can pull off a deal for Newcastle United's Alexander Isak thanks to the presence of Rio Ngumoha, a former Reds Champions League finalist believes.

Sixteen-year-old Ngumoha is the latest gem to emerge from the Kirkby academy ranks, and he became the youngest player to ever start a game for Liverpool in January's FA Cup victory over Accrington Stanley.

The 2008-born winger set tongues wagging in pre-season too, coming up with two goals and two assists in his four summer appearances, including one strike and one helper in the Reds' 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao at Anfield.

Ngumoha also netted in a 3-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos and set up Dominik Szoboszlai in Liverpool's 4-2 loss to AC Milan, and the consensus is that the teenager will play a part in Arne Slot's first team during the upcoming campaign.

Ex-Reds winger Jermaine Pennant expects that to be the case as well, and the 2006-07 Champions League finalist believes that Liverpool's attacking squad depth will be sufficient with Ngumoha and Isak in the ranks, telling Sports Mole: “He's ready.

Liverpool "covered" with Isak signing, Ngumoha emergence

"If you can perform well in pre-season, you're still playing against adults, still playing against the first team players. If you can handle the physicality of it and the intensity of it in pre-season, then age isn't a thing. Age doesn't matter.

“It's if you can perform well enough, which we've seen glimpses of him doing that. So I think we'll see more of him. He's not going to be a starter, but when you need strength and depth, you need to rest a few players and the game's going well or it's already won, then you throw on a player like Rio.

“He's got nothing to lose. We have lost a lot of strikers. Hopefully we can get Isak over the line to bolster that rank. And then we've got Rio as well, so it looks like we'll be covered.”

Ngumoha has made the bench for both of Liverpool's opening games against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace this season, and he is expected to be part of the squad when the Reds take on Newcastle United on Monday night.

In contrast, Isak will not be facing his reported admirers in the Premier League fixture, as the Sweden international remains ostracised from the group while he pines for a switch to Slot's side.

Assessing Liverpool's attacking depth amid Isak transfer links

While some may question the logic of signing Isak after capturing Hugo Ekitike - who has made a blistering start to life in red - the Frenchman is the only recognised centre-forward in Slot's ranks at present.

Should Ekitike pick up an injury that could rule him out for days, weeks or - in the worst case - months, Cody Gakpo is the next best thing up front, but the Dutchman has not shown his best form in the number nine role since joining the club from PSV Eindhoven.

Having Isak and Ekitike battling for the number nine role will only be a good thing - although the duo could also start together - and the rejuvenated Federico Chiesa is all but guaranteed to stay for the 2025-26 season after his heroic contribution in the recent win over Bournemouth.

However, RB Leipzig-linked Harvey Elliott could still leave before the transfer deadline, following Ben Doak, Lewis Koumas, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez out of the exit door, and asking a 16-year-old Ngumoha and injury-prone Chiesa to shoulder the substitute burden regularly would be a big ask.

Whether Liverpool could afford a winger after a club-record Isak deal is another question entirely, but another wide option - perhaps a Rodrygo - would certainly not go amiss.

Jermaine Pennant was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of 7bet football betting.

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