Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree over Rio Ngumoha as plea sent to Arne Slot

Ngumoha’s emergence has offered Liverpool encouragement during a campaign that has fast turned into a nightmare for Slot and his side. Next up for the Reds is a huge Champions League showdown against the reigning champions.

The Reds host Luis Enrique’s side in the second-leg of their quarter-final tomorrow night, 2-0 down on aggregate, and both Lineker and Shearer believe Ngumoha should start at Anfield.

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“I think he has to start,” Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. “I’d be very surprised if not. I mean, in the two times he has started, he’s been their best player.

“He looks, you know, that fearlessness of youth, incredible ability. I think the Liverpool fans have actually been calling out for him to start for quite some time now.

“And you can understand with a young player if there’s a slight reluctance and you don’t want to give them too much too soon. But when they’re ready, they’re ready.”

Agreeing with the former Match of the Day presenter, Shearer said: “When he started him as he did yesterday and he performs like that, why would you then? I don’t know, I would definitely leave him in there.

“As I said, you can imagine the confidence and all of that that came with him yesterday and carry that forward, and they’re going to need all of that and more, by the way, on Tuesday.

“So, I mean, you’re talking about a different level of opponent who’s seen it all and done it all. But he’s fresh, and he’s raw, and why not leave him in?”

While Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk is confident Ngumoha would rise to the challenge if selected by Slot to start.

“He would take it in his stride,” the Dutchman said. “He’s a humble kid who works hard and listens. He wants to improve constantly. He has big dreams.

“It’s down to him and the people around him to make sure that he stays like that. I’m not worried that anything will change on that front.

“It’s down to the manager to decide the team and the game plan for Tuesday. Whether you start or not, everyone has to feel part of something special. That’s the thing we need to try and beat PSG.”