Liverpool has another big talent emerging after clever transfer move that went under the radar
Liverpool has looked for a specific profile in the transfer market in recent times. When it comes to its youth academy, there has been a strong focus on picking up the best young British talents around.
In part, that is because of Brexit. It is harder now to collect the next Stefan Bajcetic from abroad so it makes more sense to go after the next Harvey Elliott. Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon and Bobby Clark are all good examples.
That trend continued this summer with the acquisition of Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea. Clearly an exciting talent and someone who is viewed as one of the best players in his age group in Europe, the 16-year-old has already made a very positive impression.
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Ngumoha has understandably caused a stir but it is not only with attacking, creative flair players that Liverpool has looked to pick up. Last year, Trey Nyoni got most of the attention when he arrived from Leicester City, but Amara Nallo, signed from West Ham United in September 2023, is another to watch out for.
Nallo has played eight times for Liverpool at youth level this season, including starring in wins over Manchester City and Arsenal. Both of those matches were away from home, and the young Reds won by a combined scoreline of six goals to one. Nallo impressed defensively and also popped up with a goal.
While he struggled a little against Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy, the whole Liverpool side failed to match its senior opponent on that occasion. A truer reflection of his talent was on show when the 17-year-old defender was named captain for the first time in the UEFA Youth League.
In that game, Nallo was dominant in both boxes again, steering his backline against Bologna and scoring the winner when the ball broke free inside the penalty area on a set-piece.
"We spoke about that against Arsenal," U21s boss Barry Lewtas told reporters including from Liverpool.com after his side beat Bologna in the UEFA Youth League. "He got a goal and a clean sheet. No clean sheet today but he gets the winner.
"We have said to the defense, from set-pieces, can you add a little bit more value to your game? Can you be a center-back who is good in both boxes? Amara has got two in two, so we're pleased."
An England youth international who is away with the national team's U19s group at the moment, Nallo started a few games alongside Jarell Quansah at Liverpool last season at U21 level, even though he was only 16 at the time. "He didn’t play like a 16-year-old, that’s for sure," Lewtas said after a 1-1 draw with Benfica in which he excelled.
That maturity in his game has been a theme of his performances since he arrived on Merseyside. Almost instantly stepping up into an age group or two above where a player of his age would be expected to be, Nallo has generally excelled. He even made the bench for the senior team twice last season — against Southampton in the FA Cup and Manchester City in the Premier League.
"Trey [Nyoni] took the armband last time and he has had a lot of experience with the U21s with me as well," Lewtas continued when asked about handing Nallo the armband. "Without a shadow of a doubt, we have a number of boys who lead well and by example — and Amara and [center-back partner] Wellity [Lucky] are two of them.
"Sometimes you are looking to develop and add with Amara finding his voice and becoming a bit more of a leader in a different way... I certainly think at the minute, the blocks and clearances — and goals! — he is leading by example in that way."
That was another step in the right direction for Nallo, and he led the team to an important victory. The UEFA Youth League has been a platform for players like Elliott and Curtis Jones to move onto senior soccer at Anfield in the past — and, more relevantly, fellow defender Quansah followed a similar pathway too. In Nallo, Liverpool has another top prospect to keep an eye out for.