Liverpool have plenty of games to play next season so could offer some minutes to certain academy stars.

The Reds may have been praised for their recruitment over the years but the talent that they have produced from within has been special.

The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah are the most recent stars to make a name for themselves after coming through the academy, but there are many more on their way.

Arne Slot will also be expected to go the distance in almost every competition possible next season after the statement signings they have made, suggesting he will need to rotate his squad where possible.

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Pre-season will give him a chance to assess his options and work out which youngsters are deserving of some game time, but there is one wonderkid in particular who has a big chance, and it is safe to say he isn’t short of confidence.



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Liverpool’s attack could get picked apart this summer and leave Slot with very limited options, suggesting the Reds will need to spend big to find replacements.

However, they might not need to look further than the club as 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha might be ready to take the step up and pick up some minutes here and there.

At that age, many would be against it, but due to the fact Chelsea were so livid to see him go, it suggests he is ahead of his years and could be ready to go, with the teenager even believing he is good enough to win the Ballon d’Or in the future.

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“I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day.

I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game,” Ngumoha said in an interview on Inside the Academy back in October 2024.

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“I have learned you have to be resilient and believe in yourself.

For me, if I am in bad form I just put it behind me and work hard.”

Lamine Yamal is one of the favourites to win the award this season and he is only 17, suggesting it is not completely unrealistic.

However, Ngumoha will need to seriously impress Slot this summer as there will be chances next season, but who he offers them to is a whole other question.

As mentioned, Chelsea were left angry when Ngumoha departed for Anfield due to the fact that they had let go a serious talent.

In fact, John Terry was one of those who praised the youngster so heavily, with the former defender one of the first to let others know just how good he will become after first signing for Liverpool.

Replying to Fabrizio Romano’s tweet confirming the move, Terry wrote: “This boy is and will be a top top player.”

He has been in and around the first-team squad since joining and even made his debut last season, suggesting he will get his chance very soon.

So, maybe next season is his time to see his minutes increase and show the league what he can do, putting him further along the path to winning the Ballon d’Or that he believes so strongly he will collect one day.


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