Liverpool played host to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon as they aimed to take a step towards Champions League qualification.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Reds went into the game knowing Bournemouth could be just six points behind them by the end of the day if they suffered defeat.<\/p>\n Liverpool\u2019s record in May is impressive<\/a>, but their form under Arne Slot this season has been poor. However, fans were more focused on the fact that Rio Ngumoha<\/a> actually started and got an assist that Cody Gakpo<\/a> probably never would have managed had he been playing off the left.<\/p>\n Rio starts against his former club 👀<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Liverpool<\/a> looked sluggish very early on, but it did not take long for the teenager to come alive down the left.<\/p>\n He used his quick feet to move inside and find Ryan Gravenberch, who took a touch before curling it into the Chelsea net.<\/p>\n And fans were quick to point out the difference between Ngumoha starting compared to Gakpo.<\/p>\n One fan wrote: \u201cLook what happens when Rio Ngumoha attacks down the left, three players are on him. It\u2019s a lot different when Gakpo is our LW.\u201d<\/p>\n A second echoed: \u201cRio Ngumoha you\u2019re him!! Talented player look at that assist Gakpo won\u2019t give you that in the wings.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRio Ngumoha assist. Gakpo in that position\u2026you know the rest,\u201d stated a third.<\/p>\n Another added: \u201cGravenberch What A Goal and Rio another assist Rio I love you how many times will I say start him instead of Gakpo but Slot won\u2019t bench his son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGakpo, aren\u2019t you ashamed when you see how the kid stares down the defender?\u201d Asked a fifth.<\/p>\n A sixth Liverpool fan stated in response to the assist: \u201cPut Gakpo here, and he passes it to CBs or loses the ball while trying to dribble.\u201d<\/p>\n It is fantastic to see the teenager starring whenever he is given a rare start, but Slot needs to do it more often.<\/p>\n If we are being honest, the only reason he is actually in the eleven today is because Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike were not available to start.<\/p>\n However, it should hopefully give Slot the encouragement he needs to start the former Chelsea man a lot more moving forward.<\/p>\nHas Slot made the right call with that front three?<\/h3>\n
![\"Rio](\"https:\/\/cdn1.rousingthekop.com\/uploads\/4\/2026\/05\/RTK-starting-XI-1-1-819x1024.png\")
<\/div>Liverpool fans highlight impact of Rio Ngumoha vs Cody Gakpo<\/h2>\n