Slot could save FSG millions by offloading Liverpool’s own Kvaratskheli

Liverpool they suffered something of a winter slump, dropping four of their previous seven Premier League games and trailing Tottenham by a goal to nil after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

The finely crafted fluid has been thrown out of balance in recent weeks, no doubt about it. But first-placed Liverpool still holds a four-point advantage over Arsenalafter playing a game less, and will be determined to beat Spurs to Anfield next month.

Arne Slott he will maintain his cool and composed demeanor, working in conjunction with sporting director Richard Hughes to advance Liverpool’s cause as best he can. Liverpool are pushing for silverware and many fans are hoping that FSG will give the go-ahead for a mid-season signing to push the Merseysiders further forward.

Liverpool’s plans for January transfers

Liverpool’s contractual issues have been discussed ad nauseam. Most of the noise circulates around Trent Alexander-Arnoldbut Hughes and co better watch out, because Mohamed Salah is being courted by Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal.

Liverpool still expects Salah i Virgil van Dijk to extend his time at Anfield, although Alexander-Arnold’s future is more uncertain. This cumbersome problem is the main reason why inflow efforts have not been made. Left back Miloš Kerkez is at the top of the wish listfor example, but is not expected to be a targeted replacement Andy Robertson until the end of the season.

Then there is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The prized Napoli winger, 23, is set to complete a move to Paris Saint-Germain despite Liverpool showed their hand last week.

It’s a little frustrating to see the initial intrigue fail for such a talented player, but s Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo holding the fort in that area so spectacularly, it might not have been the best track for this month. Both Redmen are undoubtedly outperforming the Georgia international this season.

And anyway, Liverpool could have a rising talent in Rio Ngumoha who could turn out to be Slott’s own version of Kvaratskhelia.

Rio Ngumoha could be Slot’s Kvaratskhelia

Sometimes a budding talent comes along and you just know he’s got something special. Ngumoha is that talent, although the 16-year-old needs to be eased into Sloto’s senior lineup over the coming years, allowed to develop naturally with sporadic opportunities among the big boys.

Ngumoha was kicked out of Chelsea’s highly-regarded youth academy last summer, and it’s fair to say Cobham officials were left fuming at losing one of their best to the Merseysiders.

The highly-rated youngster’s signing stalled due to lengthy administrative delays over the summer, but the move was completed in September and he immediately made waves within Liverpool’s youth scene, leading to high praise.

Journalist Lewis Bower even said: “I’ve probably never seen anything like it before. As for his ceiling, it’s terrifying.”

The electric pace Witchman has already made 13 appearances for Liverpool’s youth teams this season, registering four assists and impressing with his incredible athleticism and mobility.

His start against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup last weekend was a perfect illustration of the high regard in which Slott holds him, as the Dutch coach is notoriously harsh when it comes to squad selection.

He may not have scored against Liverpool’s League Two opponents last week, but Ngumoha made an excellent statement on his professional debut, frustrating throughout with brisk dribbling and unafraid to get stuck in defensively, showing a combativeness that Slott will appreciate.

After a 4-0 home win, Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo even awarded Ngumoha a match rating of 7/10, writing: ‘He announced himself on his debut with a couple of clever runs down the left before the break and released the ball at the right time. An encouraging display.’

There is something delicately skilful yet supremely solid about his ability to carry the ball, his silkiness. The mechanics behind the youngster’s skills suggest he could indeed be a future superstar if given enough time to grow into his own skin.

To be sure, Liverpool could have made good use of a high-class winger like Kvaratskhelia, but Slot has plenty of options and FSG won’t want to do anything rash that could prevent more calculated endeavors down the stretch. They could have saved themselves millions if they hadn’t agreed Napoli man worth £68m.

When Jurgen Klopp stepped down at the end of the 2023/24 season, many across Europe may have felt that Liverpool would have to drop their position as inevitable relegation took a cold grip.

But it looks like Sloto’s project will last – and it’s just getting started. There is so much talent in the first team, fighting for titles, but in young players like Ngumoha, Liverpool could have incredible potential that could prompt thoughtful glances back at windows like this one, when Kvaratskhelia was on the radar, and make the fans breathe a sigh of relief.

There could be something much more to Ngumoh.