Jeremie Frimpong has already given Rio Ngumoha the perfect Liverpool nickname
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(Credit: Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Tue 23 September 2025 9:30, UK
Liverpool academy star Rio Ngumoha has burst onto the scene this season and quickly become a key member of Arne Slot’s first-team squad.
His biggest contribution so far came as he came off the bench to score the winning goal in Liverpool’s 3-2 win against Newcastle in August.
Since then, he has featured twice more for the senior side, including making his Champions League debut in their opening-day win against Atletico Madrid.
Ngumoha‘s performances in the senior team aged just 17 have earned him plenty of praise both from his teammates and neutrals, who have been left stunned bu his displays.
Among those with high praise for the teenager is former Reds sensation Michael Owen, who dubbed Ngumoha “exceptional” and tipped him to smash records.
Credit: Imago
Ngumoha’s successful start to the season has not gone unnoticed among his teammates, where he is a popular figure on the training ground at the AXA Training Centre.
According to the Daily Mail (22 September), Jeremie Frimpong has given his teammate the nickname “Mr 1v1” thanks to his skills both on the pitch and in training.
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The 17-year-old has reportedly “embarrassed” his senior teammates during their sessions, with rumours suggesting the club’s social media team have had to delete clips as a result.
Credit: Imago
Frimpong, who arrived at Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, has been particularly supportive of him behind the scenes.
Such is the talent the young winger possesses, that a number of top scouts are backing him to one day win the Ballon d’OR, which was lifted by Ousmane Dembele on Monday (22 September).
The “Mr 1v1” nickname derives from Ngumoha’s quick feet and ability to beat his man, which has been displayed through his 100 per cent dribble success rate this season.
In his three senior appearances so far, the winger has scored one goal from one big chance, picked up two key passes and touched the ball six times in the opponent’s area.
Alongside being an attacking threat in the box, it is his work on the ball to beat his teammates which left Frimpong stunned both in training and on the pitch.
As such, he remains an established member of Slot’s first-team plans despite the big-money arrivals of the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
Rio Ngumoha at Liverpool 2025-26StatsMatches3Minutes Played34?Goals1Key Passes2Big Chances (Scored)1 (1)xG0.36Dribbles (Successful)1 (1)Sofascore Rating6.90Penalty Area Entries1Touches in Opponent’s Box6Rio Ngumoha’s 2025-26 stats so far.
(Credit: Sofascore)
Ngumoha became the Premier League’s fourth-youngest goalscorer against Newcastle, beaten only by Wayne Rooney, James Milner and James Vaughan.
While his on-pitch performances have been the subject of everybody’s focus, Andy Robertson has paised Ngumoha’s attitude and work ethic behind the scenes as well.
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