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Liverpool did not see a great deal of promotion from the academy during Arne Slot’s first year in charge.

The Reds had become used to young players being promoted under Jurgen Klopp, with the 2023/24 season being a very good example of that.

But following Slot’s arrival, the Dutchman did not appear quite so ready to throw untested players into the first-team.

Nevertheless, that isn’t to say Slot did not promote youth at all.

Having signed him from Chelsea in the summer, the new Liverpool head coach handed Rio Ngumoha a surprise start in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley.

Beginning the game in place of the ill Federico Chiesa, Ngumoha delivered an eye-catching senior debut, marking himself out as one to watch in the future.

And according to former Liverpool striker John Aldridge, excitement has been growing over what the 16-year-old could deliver.

Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Ngumoha has been backed to make an impact in the first-team squad this summer, and after a year of bedding in at the Liverpool academy, next season feels big for him.

The teenager does not turn 17 until the end of August, but already feels to be on the fast track to the senior squad.

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Aldridge seems to think so, anyway.

Writing in his column for Sunday World, the pundit assessed the state of the current crop of youngsters at Liverpool, highlighting Ngumoha as well as Ben Doak.

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“I’ve been promoting the qualities of young Ben Doak on the pages of the Sunday World in recent years – and he is another one to watch as he is so quick over five yards,” says Aldridge.

“I’m also hearing great things about teenager Rio Ngumoha, who was signed from Chelsea and had loads of quality, but senior football is a very different beast and only the best make it when their chance comes in the Premier League.”

As Aldridge alludes to, earning rave reviews at youth level and breaking through into the first-team can be two completely different matters.

Since joining in 2024, Ngumoha has always been predicted to become a senior player at Liverpool.

But the fact of the matter is that he has so much competition ahead of him.

As a left-sided winger, it is not going to be easy for Ngumoha to get regular minutes next season.

Nevertheless, the former Chelsea prospect is already on Slot’s radar, and it can only take an injury or two for Ngumoha to be given his chance.
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