Liverpool may have started their tour of Asia with a defeat but there were still some positives to take from the game.

The Reds may have lost 4-2 to AC Milan in a game littered with errors, but results are not the be-all and end-all, with the performances of individuals much more important.

Certain players struggled but one who impressed yet again was 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, with the winger playing the first half.

The Englishman looked dangerous down the left-hand side and caused the Milan defence some real problems with his pace and trickery, and he even assisted Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal.

Harvey Elliott praises ‘fearless’ Rio Ngumoha after impressive Liverpool display vs AC Milan	Rio Ngumoha sends exciting message as Szoboszlai reality now clear - 4 talking points vs AC Milan	Liverpool fans all say the same thing about Florian Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha

With Luis Diaz’s future uncertain and Ngumoha laying down a real marker of intent, fans will be wondering whether he might get some game time next season.

And, ex-Red Jason McAteer has delivered a verdict on what Arne Slot should do with him, and it might just excite supporters even more.



Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Not many 16-year-olds even make it near the first-team squad, yet Ngumoha is doing much more than that and his performances suggest he might even get some minutes.

At his age, Slot will have to be careful about what he does with him and manage him properly, with McAteer believing that staying at Liverpool this season will be much better for his development.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

“It’s a hard one because he’s a very talented player but he’s 16.

I know I spoke about if you’re good enough you’re old enough, but he’s still 16 and there’s a lot to learn,” McAteer told LFCTV after the match.

READ MORE: Arne Slot proved that ‘fantastic’ Liverpool midfielder has no future at the club after AC Milan decision

“I think he needs protecting.

If he was 19 now and doing what he was doing, I would say he should go out on loan at Blackburn or somewhere like that, but at 16, I think he needs looking after and Liverpool will be looking at it thinking ‘is he old enough to go out on loan or should we keep hold of him and let him develop?

“I think him developing here as well in this environment, with Wirtz and Salah, he is only going to get better and mature quicker, so I think he stays this season.”

Liverpool still have plenty of pre-season games left, meaning Ngumoha has plenty of chances to show why he should stick around next season, with the Reds’ next game on Wednesday 30th against Yokohama F.

Diaz was left out of the team due to the speculation surrounding his future, and with Bayern Munich set to bid again for him very soon, his exit seems a matter of when and not if.

That leaves a spot at left-wing for someone to be the understudy to Cody Gakpo, and Liverpool can save a lot of money and use Ngumoha there next season.

The Reds will play plenty of games next season and the 16-year-old should certainly be at least considered for the early cup matches, although he is that good it would not be a surprise to see him in the Premier League as well.

The future of Ngumoha is certainly an exciting one and it is safe to say that Liverpool have a potential world-beater on their hands.