How does Ngumoha, 16, become impossible to ignore in Liverpool? It is by this title that The Athletic Introduced the young Rio Ngumoha into the great English media world, after two services noted during the Asian pre-season of the Reds. And his coach Arne Slot also congratulated him on his performances, and what he has seen from him until then. “We only played two games here and we have not yet faced Premier League opponents. But I see him training, I see him playing, and the impact he has when he trains and plays is really promising ”he said after the match won 3-1 against Yokohama, during which the 16-year-old kid scored the 3rd goal. While warning that you should not get carried away either.
Liverpool dive the player at Chelsea
“Playing in the Premier League, playing every three days with the Champions League matches between the two is something. But it is clearly a player who shows today that if he continues to produce such performances, this evening will certainly not be his last appearance for Liverpool. Everything is a question of regularity. He must prove it every day we are on the ground. »» Arne Slot is not going to throw him into the lions pit like that. Already because it has an offensive sector reinforced by Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. Then because for the season which is looming, following the departure of Luis Diaz, it is Cody Gakpo who seems to be the depositary of the left wing. Finally because the transfer window is not finished and the Reds have not finished doing follies.
But Liverpool can already rub his hands. In addition to offering a 5 -star transfer window, it has a nugget in its workforce that evolves dramatically. A nugget he chipped in Chelsea, yet a specialist in this kind of blows. It was in September 2024 that the deal was made, at the Dam of the Blues, and it is a court which will even have to judge financial compensation. This career choice, Ngumoha made it knowingly, after seeing Liverpool to trust the first team to many young players from his academy (the latest like Conor Bradley or Trey Nyoni). Last year, he had played 26 matches (2 goals and 4 offerings) with Liverpool alternating between the U18, the reserve and even the first team. Indeed, Arne Slot had launched her in a FA Cup match won 4-0 against Accrington on January 11.
It's the Rio Festival
Rio NGUMOHA had even become on this occasion the 2nd youngest player to start with Liverpool behind Jerôme Sinclair. “”Rio is one of those young people who work very well. As long as they will continue like that, their chances of joining us in the first team will certainly increase“Noted his coach Arne Slot at the time. And the principal concerned saw him an awake dream. I really have the impression that it is an indescribable experience. Training with the best team in the world so young is really the dream of any child. You train with the best team in the world, the players you train with, you learn from them and you really measure yourself. It went very well. Patience is essential. I don't want to rush anything. I am young. I want to continue working hard, to push hard, to show the manager what I can really do, and to influence the team».
Integrated into the Asian tour of Liverpool, he finally obtained playing time and was adopted by his illustrious partners. According to the English press, Mohamed Salah took it under his wing, charmed by the young boy, who will be 17 years old on August 29. “Ngumoha has won the sympathy of experienced players and staff thanks to his attitude, his application and his talent. He will certainly not be loaned and could be a useful impact player when leaving the bench against already tired high level defenses ”written as well The Athletic. One more arrow in the already well supplied quiver of the Reds.
