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Despite spending just shy of £300m in this transfer window on new signings, it is Rio Ngumoha who has stolen the show for Liverpool so far in pre-season.

A couple of stunning individual goals and two more assists as the Reds prepare for the new campaign have offered a glimpse into the mercurial talent that has already left a huge impression on the club's fans.

Direct, dynamic and a maturity beyond his years best describe Ngumoha's game - all traits that led Liverpool to poach the winger from Chelsea last summer.

So, what do we know about Ngumoha?

The wide man, who represented England at youth level, quickly rose through the ranks with the west Londoners, featuring for the club's U21 side at just 15 years old.

However, Ngumoha opted to join Liverpool in the summer of 2024 after the Reds went all out to convince him to move to Merseyside, with former Chelsea captain John Terry, who has been involved in the Blues' academy setup, predicting he would go on to become a "top, top player".

Ngumoha is understood to have been attracted by the proven pathway from Liverpool's youth ranks to the first team, as seen on numerous occasions during previous manager Jurgen Klopp's time in charge, while Slot has also demonstrated a willingness to give youth a chance since replacing the German at Anfield last summer.

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Starting out initially with Liverpool's U18 side, Ngumoha has enjoyed a rapid rise to the club's first-team picture since making the move north.

Slot believed Ngumoha would benefit hugely from getting the opportunity to learn from players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, understanding exactly what one needs to do to be ready to perform every three days at the highest level.

As a result, in December of last year Ngumoha was named on the bench as Liverpool travelled to Southampton for a Carabao Cup clash, before becoming the Reds' youngest-ever player to start a competitive fixture when Accrington Stanley visited Anfield for an FA Cup third-round tie in January.

And since his debut at the turn of the year, the wide man has been splitting training time between the Academy and first team.

'That guy is ridiculous - anything is possible'

Ngumoha was then included in the Liverpool squad for the pre-season tour to Hong Kong and Japan this summer, with Luis Diaz's exit to Bayern Munich providing the perfect opportunity for Slot to slowly integrate the left-sided forward into the first team.

And boy has the 16-year-old grabbed that chance with both hands, scoring twice and also providing two assists in his four appearances, including eye-catching solo efforts in wins against Yokohama F Marinos and Athletic Club that showed just why Chelsea were so reluctant to see him leave their academy last summer.

In fact, the youngster needed only five minutes to register a goal and assist against Athletic at Anfield on Monday, with Ben Doak singing his praises, telling LFCTV: "That guy is ridiculous.

If he can keep going the way he is going, anything is possible."

Slot has understandably at times this summer tried to dampen down expectations around Nguhoma given how intense the Premier League can be a lot for players in their early twenties, let alone his age.

"Rio is showing good things in every game in pre-season," said the Reds boss after the win against Yokohama F.

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They have an incredible chance to work and be around players like Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and all these incredible players every day and see what they do to be ready to perform every three days…

"It's been a promising start for him and Nyoni because Trey also played a very good game at Anfield four days ago."

Given the impact the Nguhoma has had this summer, though, there is now a good chance he will become a permanent part of the first-team set-up this season, starting at Wembley this weekend.

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