Rio Ngumoha's impression on Liverpool academy already speaks volumes after summer transfer
Liverpool was delighted to win the race for Rio Ngumoha's signature this summer. Leaving Chelsea as one of the most highly-rated talents in his age group in Europe, the now 16-year-old picked Anfield as his destination despite having plenty of other options.
Enticed by the well-established pathway to the first team that Liverpool has in place, the player and his family are convinced it was the right choice. According to The Athletic, Ngumoha turned down Manchester United to come to the Reds, and since then, he has already shown a few glimpses of his talent with his dribbling catching the eye, often coming inside onto his stronger right foot from the left flank.
Labeled a "top player" by Chelsea legend John Terry, who coached him while he was with the Stamford Bridge side's academy, Ngumoha is already drawing plenty of attention. He is yet to score for the Reds but has looked lively in cameos against Blackburn and Leeds domestically, as well as AC Milan in the UEFA Youth League. He could play in the EFL Trophy later today.
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"He is here because he’s got potential to go and reach the first team, but besides that, there’s no pressure from us," U18s boss Marc Bridge-Wilkinson said earlier this season. "There’s no rush with him," U21s head coach Barry Lewtas added, via the ECHO. "He’s only just turned 16. Let him settle and find his way and let’s see where it goes."
Liverpool will be careful with Ngumoha, clearly, and he still has plenty of developing to do, but there is excitement about the young forward for a reason. It is the same reason that Chelsea was so gutted to lose him.
"The coaches loved working with Rio because he’s a great kid, but also because he would take on board what they were saying," a Chelsea insider told The Athletic. "There had been times when he was trying to do it all by himself."
The directness to Ngumoha's play is hugely exciting and there are other young talents to watch at the moment too. Kieran Morrison — a left footed winger who mainly plays from the right — continues to develop while Trey Nyoni could also be involved as Liverpool U21s will face Harrogate Town later today.
Arne Slot said earlier that the former Leicester City talent might also be saved for the senior side's game against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup tomorrow. He already made his senior debut against Southampton in the FA Cup last season.
Tyler Morton played — and scored — for the Reds' U21s over the weekend. He and Nyoni started in the middle of the pitch as Liverpool beat Derby County by three goals to one with a trip to Arsenal coming next, while Ngumoha came off the bench for the U18s.
A huge part of the success under Jurgen Klopp stemmed from youth prospects. Ngumoha, fellow summer arrival Alvin Ayman, and the likes of Nyoni and Morrison will be hoping to follow a similar trajectory, with the Kirkby conveyor belt of talent showing no signs of slowing down.