One of the standouts of Liverpool’s pre-season has been 16-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha, widely seen as one of England’s top young talents and a potential superstar in the making. On Wednesday against Yokohama, he scored the third goal in Liverpool’s 3-1 victory.
Heading into the season, he’s been tipped to be in the first team picture. Not as a regular starter, perhaps, but Ngumoha will train with manager Arne Slot’s senior squad and likely see minutes starting in the domestic cups and from the bench
in the league and Europe.
“It was a very big night,” Ngumoha said when asked about his goal and overall performance on Wednesday evening in Japan. “I feel like coming off the bench to make an impact was really good. It was obviously nice to get a goal today but that’s just the first of many.
“Like I’ve said before, I just want to keep on working hard and showing the manager what I can do. I’m not trying to rush because I’m still only young. But at the same time, I want to show the manager what I can do, to do bigger and better things for me and the club.”
Liverpool signed Ngumoha from Chelsea in 2024 after the youngster refused to sign a senior contract and made the move north believing the Reds offered a better environment for his development and would be more likely to give him first team opportunities.
Chelsea subsequently banned Liverpool scouts from attending their youth matches. A compensation fee is to be set by tribunal. Following the move, he became the youngest player to start for Liverpool, lining up against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup in January.
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