'I watched': Rio Ferdinand says there's a 'definite' change he's now noticed in Rio Ngumoha

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Rio Ngumoha is starting to look ‘magic’, and there are clear signs he will be a top player for Liverpool, Rio Ferdinand has suggested.Ngumoha started against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup this past Friday and was one of the Reds’ top performers.While he’s still only 17 and will need time to develop, there is raw talent there, and former Manchester United man Ferdinand has already noticed that the winger’s decision making has improved. DISCUSS: This is not the game for Rio Ngumoha, nor for the returning Florian Wirtz 👇 Predicted XI Liverpool vs Galatasaray Rio Ngumoha’s decision making has improved at LiverpoolFerdinand has praised Ngumoha previously, suggesting he could become one of the Premier League’s elite players in the next generation.Now, speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the ex-centre-back has highlighted how the Liverpool ace’s game has changed since he watched him in action in Chelsea’s youth ranks.He said: “I watched Rio when he was at Chelsea playing against one of my boys.

He ain’t doing a lot differently. “That’s all he was as a kid.

But you saw a star there somewhere, a rough diamond, and he just looks magic.” Which exciting Liverpool youngster will have the brightest future at Anfield? Credit: George Wood/Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images Arne Slot knows where Rio Ngumoha will need to improveAndy Robertson already thinks Ngumoha is ‘excellent’ after he stole the show in the FA Cup.But Liverpool putting pressure on the youngster to carry them in the remainder of 2025/26 could have a negative impact on him in the long-term, even if he might already have the ability to do so.Slot knows Ngumoha needs to improve still, and outlined his plan for the club to work with the Englishman on making him into a player who can be as consistent as Mohamed Salah.Speaking post-Wolves, he said: “On the other side there’s a player in Mo Salah who he has to take an example of because being a good player is not so difficult, but being a good player every three days over a long, long period of time, that is something we’re going to work on very hard with him to make sure he can go to those levels.”Get that down, and he will certainly be one of the most lethal wide players in the top flight in the coming years.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox