Arne Slot ADMITS Liverpool still need to sign a forward | OneFootball

Liverpool are in a pretty odd position when it comes to their attacking players and squad depth.

As far as the front threes is concerned, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah is a really exciting one and there is plenty of dynamism in there to cause a lot of teams a lot of problems.

Behind those three is Florian Wirtz who can be moulded into a few different positions if necessary, but the other players such as Federico Chiesa, Jayden Danns and Harvey Elliott are a step below.

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As such, while there is depth there, you're left a little unconvinced when you look at it on paper and Liverpool have been trying to improve their squad, while Arne Slot has been diplomatic about it all.

But in one player specifically, the Reds know they've got a young talent whose pathway into the first team shouldn't be blocked, yet there is a bit of a reluctance to actually give them a full-time role.

Ngumoha is a conundrum for Slot

Liverpool have made it clear to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha that a left-wing spot in the senior side is waiting for him and most people connected to the club feel he deserves a chance in the spotlight.

He's already proved he can excel beyond his age range in under-21 matches for the academy and the way he plays - with composure dribbling at defenders - makes him a useful trump card to have.

But you feel as though making him the back-up to Gakpo might have been a slight error, as he was given no minutes against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield or against Bournemouth last week, leaving the Dutchman to play 90 minutes in each of the games. Ngumoha isn't trusted yet.

It makes sense that easing him into the first-team is the best approach, but if Gakpo gets injured all of a sudden, then the reality of Luis Diaz's departure becomes all too real. You're then forced to send Ngumoha into the deep end, hoping he can deliver what you'd normally expect from a 26-year-old.

Of course, the Reds are still considering moves in the transfer market before the window closes on September 1, but it's a striker that has been prioritised so far - Alexander Isak to be specific.

In his press conference on Thursday, the head coach said: "Having two [players] for each position is ideal, but I'd sooner have less than more as you'd have to disappoint a lot of people. But if there are players who can really make us better, then the club has shown they can bring them in. But only if things are right - the right player, fee and position."

Fans have always hoped that a solution is found to Liverpool's lack of attacking depth, without blocking the pathway for Ngumoha to develop, but is that possible? After all, Slot has decided against using the teenager so far and there's a lot of pressure on him to cover Gakpo if need be.

There should be little doubt about his ability to be a game-changer for us, but he must surely be desperate for a few cameos at least to start to calm the nerves he might have about stepping up to the level and if he's not quite ready yet, then the club need to address the issue before it's too late.