Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool scores his team's first goal during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Athletic Club Bilbao at Anfield on August 04, 2025 (Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

It took Rio Ngumoha just 87 seconds to make his presence felt against Athletic Bilbao on Monday evening.

While Liverpool have spent just short of £300m so far this summer, it has been the teenager - signed from Chelsea last year - who has arguably been the star of their pre-season.

He played a part in creating Conor Bradley’s opener against Preston North End in the Reds’ first friendly, before scoring a deflected effort behind closed doors against Stoke City.

Such form was continued onto the pre-season tour of Asia too, as the 16-year-old registered an assist against AC Milan for Dominik Szoboszlai before scoring a stunning effort against Yokohama F.

Marinos.

READ MORE:Liverpool player ratings as Rio Ngumoha sparkles and others good in first game vs Athletic ClubREAD MORE:Liverpool vs Athletic Club LIVE - score, Elliott, Doak, Ngumoha and Nunez goals, commentary stream

But this was his first chance to stake his claim in front of a full home crowd during a summer to remember.

Ngumoha is a talent.

His debut against Accrington proved to be his only appearance of last season, but given his pre-season showings, he is certainly ready to have more of an impact this year.

WELCOME to Blood Red – your NEW monthly fix from the ECHO covering all you need to know about what’s happening at Liverpool FC.

Our brilliant team of writers cover Arne Slot’s side all season long, home, away and abroad seven days a week to produce the best content every day for the ECHO, both in print and online.

And now this monthly print edition of Blood Red will add to that mix with top features, interviews, analysis, comment, nostalgia, previews – and sometimes a bit of humour!

Available to buy here.

However, with Ngumoha still not even 17 until the end of the month, Liverpool and their supporters will still have to be patient.

It feels strange to say but it was arguably one of his ‘quieter’ showings of pre-season, despite the two goal contributions.

Boasting pace to burn and a bag of tricks, he has certainly taken advantage of the Reds’ decision not to field Luis Diaz while uncertainty about his future persisted.
For more news relating to Chelsea, visit our sister site Chelsea Latest Live.