Liverpool start Rio Ngumoha, 16, in FA Cup as Trent Alexander-Arnold hint dropped

Liverpool will start wonderkid Rio Ngumoha against Accrington Stanley, with Trent Alexander-Arnold named as captain for the FA Cup third round clash.

Reds boss Arne Slot has made a raft of changes to the team which started Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Tottenham. Ngumoha is the headline change, with the 16-year-old being handed his senior debut by Slot.

Caoimhin Kelleher replaces Alisson in goal, with Alexander-Arnold promoted from the bench to start at right-back and skipper the team. He is joined in defence by Kostas Tsimikas at left-back, while Wataru Endo will continue in his emergency centre-back role.

Endo is partnered in central defence by Jarrell Quansah, who has been deemed fit to play after being forced off early in the defeat to Spurs. Slot has selected a midfield trio of Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton and Dominik Szoboszlai.

THE FA CUP GIANT KILLERS: Get your special edition magazine celebrating some of the game's greatest-ever upsets

Elliott is the subject of interest from Borussia Dortmund, with Liverpool reportedly ready to sell him for a fee of £40million. Meanwhile, Szoboszlai has recovered from illness to take his place in the starting line-up.

Up-front, Ngumoha takes the place of superstar attacker Mohamed Salah on the right wing. Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota will then split the left-winger and striker roles between them.

The decision to hand Alexander-Arnold the captain's armband could be seen as a hint over his future at Anfield. The right-back is out of contract at the end of the season, with Real Madrid keen to sign him.

Image: Instagram/Riongumoha) Instagram/Riongumoha)

According to talkSPORT, Alexander-Arnold has told Liverpool chiefs he would be willing to extend his contract if they commit to making him the club's permanent captain in the 'long run. Meanwhile, Ngumoha joined Liverpool in September from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

The attacker was named player of the tournament when Chelsea’s under-16s were crowned national champions in October 2023. Liverpool had to pay Chelsea a fee for their part in the youngster’s development, which is expected to have been five figures.

Chelsea legend and now academy coach John Terry is understood to have been disappointed to have seen Ngumoha leave the Blues. Slot has warned his side they face a tough test, despite Accrington being a fourth tier side.

"I think every team that plays against us, it's a special occasion for every team we face – but especially for a lower-league team. They will be all up for it, they've lived towards this game for many weeks probably, nine out of 10 times all players are fit and there's no-one suspended," he said.

The challenge is always to bring the best out of ourselves. Everybody could understand that if you go to a Champions League final, everybody is completely hyped up and ready – and that is for them tomorrow, it is going to feel like a Champions League final. We have to be aware of that.

"Nine out of 10 times, the first 25 minutes or half hour is the most difficult part of the game because they will still be very intense. It is up to us to be ready for them wanting to play the best game of their lives – and that is what we have to do as well."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to read article