‘Excellent Prospect’ Ngumoha Shines for Liverpool — But Who Is He?
Liverpool’s star‑studded summer signings made their long‑awaited Anfield debuts on Sunday — but it was 16‑year‑old Rio Ngumoha who stole the show, even though he wasn’t playing in the same match as them.
In an unusual pre‑season format, the Reds staged a double‑header against Athletic Bilbao: the so‑called “second XI” kicked off at 17:00 BST before the first team took to the pitch at 20:00.
Ngumoha, an England Under‑17 forward, started the first game and wasted no time making his mark — scoring in the second minute and setting up a goal three minutes later. Darwin Núñez, Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott also found the net in a 4‑1 win.
Later, Arne Slot’s first team — featuring £263.5m worth of summer arrivals Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili — edged their match 3‑2. Cody Gakpo scored twice for the right team, once for the wrong one, while Mohamed Salah netted the opener before missing a penalty.
“In both games we created a lot of chances and scored seven goals. That’s very pleasing to see,” said Slot.
Ngumoha’s Rising Hype
The winger, who turns 17 later this month, is fast becoming one of Liverpool’s most talked‑about prospects. The second‑youngest player ever to appear for Liverpool in a competitive match, Ngumoha lit up the left flank with pace, dribbling and fearless attacking.
His goal came from a quick break starting deep in his own half, bursting forward before curling a fine 20‑yard strike past the Bilbao keeper. Minutes later, he nodded down a Doak cross for Núñez to finish.
Liverpool fans sang his name, with Curtis Jones urging them to make more noise. He left the pitch to a standing ovation midway through the second half.
“He is such an excellent prospect,” said ex‑Reds defender Gary Gillespie on LFC TV. “The difficulty is managing expectations — but it’s hard to put a lid on it.”
Slot added:
“Rio is showing things every time in pre‑season.”
From Chelsea to Anfield
Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea’s youth set‑up last summer. Blues legend John Terry said at the time: “This boy is and will be a top player.” His form in Asia — including a goal against Yokohama F. Marinos and an assist versus AC Milan — has only strengthened that view.
In January, he became Liverpool’s youngest‑ever starter in an FA Cup match at 16 years and 135 days, in a 4‑0 win over Accrington Stanley. That remains his only competitive senior appearance, but with major changes in Liverpool’s attack, more opportunities could be on the horizon.
A Path Opening Up
Liverpool’s forward line has been reshaped this summer. The tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car accident cast a shadow over pre‑season, while Luis Díaz departed for Bayern Munich and Núñez has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
If Núñez leaves, Liverpool’s main attacking options would be Salah, Gakpo and new signing Ekitike — potentially leaving room for Ngumoha to make a breakthrough unless the club lands top target Alexander Isak. An initial £110m bid for the Newcastle striker has already been rejected.
“I’m not trying to rush because I’m still only young,” Ngumoha said recently. “But I want to show the manager what I can do and not get complacent. I just want to do bigger and better things for me and the club.”
For now, Liverpool fans will be hoping this bright young talent keeps delivering moments like Sunday — and that the hype, while hard to contain, will be matched by opportunity.
‘Excellent Prospect’ Ngumoha Steals the Show for Liverpool — But Who Is He?
Liverpool’s most expensive summer signings finally made their Anfield bows on Sunday. The crowd got their first real glimpse of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili in red.
But the night belonged to a 16‑year‑old.
Rio Ngumoha, who has been dazzling through pre‑season, delivered another fearless, high‑impact performance — even though he wasn’t playing in the “main event” match.
A Double‑Header With a Twist
Liverpool staged an unusual pre‑season double header against Athletic Bilbao. The so‑called “second XI” — packed with academy products and fringe players — kicked off at 17:00 BST. The “first XI”, including the big‑money recruits, took the field at 20:00.
Ngumoha started the first match and, within five minutes, had a goal and an assist. Darwin Núñez, Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott also scored in a comfortable 4‑1 win.
Later in the evening, the first team squeezed past Bilbao 3‑2 in a lively affair. Cody Gakpo grabbed the headlines in that game for the strangest of reasons — two goals for Liverpool, one for Bilbao. Mohamed Salah scored early but skied a penalty, and Arne Slot’s team showed flashes of promise but also moments of defensive slackness.
Ngumoha’s Breakout Performance
The teenager’s opener showcased both his raw speed and his confidence. Pouncing on a loose ball near his own half, Ngumoha surged forward, carried the ball 40 yards, and curled a composed finish from 20 yards past the keeper.
Minutes later, he found himself involved again — timing his jump to perfection to nod down a Ben Doak cross for Núñez to slot home. The Kop responded with chants of his name, urged on by captain-for-the-day Curtis Jones.
Ngumoha’s blend of close control, 1‑v‑1 dribbling and positional intelligence caused Bilbao’s defenders problems throughout. Even seasoned professionals struggled to read his movement.
He left the field midway through the second half to a standing ovation — a pre‑season rarity that underlined the impression he made.
Praise From Inside and Outside the Club
“He is such an excellent prospect,” said former Reds defender Gary Gillespie on LFC TV. “The difficulty is managing expectations — but it’s hard to put a lid on it.”
Manager Arne Slot was also impressed:
“Rio is showing things every time in pre‑season.”
The match followed a pre‑season tour in which Ngumoha scored against Yokohama F. Marinos and set up a goal against AC Milan. He is rapidly becoming a fixture in Liverpool’s friendly line‑ups, regardless of the opposition’s calibre.
From Chelsea to Liverpool
Ngumoha’s rise is remarkable partly because he is not a long‑time Liverpool academy product. He joined the club only last summer from Chelsea’s youth system, where he was highly regarded. Blues legend John Terry even posted on Instagram:
“This boy is and will be a top player.”
In January, Ngumoha made history by becoming Liverpool’s youngest‑ever starter in a competitive match — aged 16 years and 135 days — in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley.
That was his only senior competitive appearance last season, and he did not make a Premier League bench. But with Liverpool’s attacking depth in flux, that could soon change.
A Changing Attack Could Open the Door
Liverpool’s forward line has undergone a summer of upheaval. The tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car accident has left a huge emotional and footballing gap. Luis Díaz has been sold to Bayern Munich, while Darwin Núñez is attracting serious interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.
If Núñez departs, Liverpool’s frontline options will likely boil down to Salah, Gakpo, and Ekitike — potentially leaving an opening for Ngumoha to get senior minutes, especially in domestic cups and possibly in Europe.
The club’s pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak shows their intent to add more firepower, though an initial £110m bid has already been rejected.
Mindset Beyond His Years
Ngumoha’s public comments show a player aware of the balance between ambition and patience:
“I’m not trying to rush because I’m still only young. But I want to show the manager what I can do and not get complacent. I just want to do bigger and better things for me and the club.”
That mindset — combined with his technical ability — is what excites Liverpool staff as much as his goals and assists.
A Season to Watch
Liverpool supporters have seen young players burst onto the scene before — and they know pre‑season form does not always translate to Premier League minutes. But Ngumoha’s blend of skill, speed, and confidence is hard to ignore.
If he keeps playing like this, the question will soon shift from “Who is Rio Ngumoha?” to “How much can he play this season?”
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