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Rio Ngumoha has certainly grabbed his opportunity to impress with both hands ahead of the new campaign.

The winger, who is still only 16 years old, joined the Reds from Chelsea last summer and was handed his debut by Arne Slot in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley back in January.

Named in a further two matchday squads last term, his efforts during the summer have certainly set tongues wagging and should ensure he features more prominently in the forthcoming campaign.



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Starting Liverpool’s first friendly of the summer against Preston North End on the left-wing, Ngumoha played a part in creating the opening goal for Conor Bradley.

Likewise, the likes of Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak also have their suitors.

Should such players depart and Liverpool go on to sign Isak, it will result in the Reds still having two natural options at centre-forward, with the versatility of the likes Ekitike, Wirtz and Frimpong - along with Dominik Szoboszlai - ensuring they are not left short on the flanks.

But Ngumoha’s performances in pre-season, where he has shone with his dribbling abilities and decision-making alongside his goal contributions, have seen him emerge as a genuine natural alternative on the left-hand side following Diaz’s departure.

After all, with Liverpool deciding not to use the Colombian in pre-season while his future remained up in the air, it was the 16-year-old who was handed starting opportunities in his place.

And even with Gakpo getting the nod as Slot named a strong starting XI against Yokohama, hours after Diaz’s exit, it did not stop Ngumoha from making his presence felt when introduced in the second half.

He has certainly given his Dutch head coach something to think about.

And Liverpool will now have to make special room for the winger if they wish to utilise his services this season.

Ngumoha is set to sign his first professional contract with Liverpool after he celebrates his 17th birthday at the end of next month.

But while he is still under the age of 21, he does not yet qualify as an underage player for the Reds in UEFA competition.

The teenager does count as an Under-21s player when it comes to the Premier League and does not need to be registered in Liverpool’s top-flight squad as a result.

However, having only joined the Reds last summer, he has not yet been at the club long enough to earn similar status for the Champions League and qualify for a place on ‘List B’ - made up of eligible Under-21s players.

In contrast, highly-rated midfielder Trey Nyoni is now eligible for a place on ‘List B’ with the 18-year-old moving to Anfield from Leicester City two years ago.

As a result, Ngumoha will need to be named in Liverpool’s maximum 25-man squad if Slot wishes to select him in European competition this season, with the teenager occupying one of the four ‘association-trained’ homegrown berths as a result.

But this would mean that the Reds would have to also limit themselves to a squad of no more than 24 players in the Premier League, unless they wished to leave out a senior player to make room for Ngumoha in Europe.

Following Diaz’s departure, Liverpool currently have 29 senior players over the age of 21, with 18 of them classed as overseas players.

They are allowed no more than 17 overseas senior players and are limited to naming a maximum 25-man squad.

Consequently, if they wish to make room for Ngumoha, at least five players over the age of 21 - including at least one further overseas player - will need to move on before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Otherwise, the Reds will have to leave such players out of their squads.

Admittedly, we can discount a number of the current players, assuming they will not be in Slot’s first team plans, with Rhys Williams, James Balagizi, Fabian Mrozek and Calvin Ramsay - who now takes up an overseas place - the most obvious examples.

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But with further arrivals expected at Anfield, with Liverpool’s interest in the likes of Isak and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi well-documented as they weigh up their attacking and centre-back options, additional departures will be needed also.

Ngumoha’s emergence might help ensure that, beyond Isak, the Reds consider their attacking options strong enough for the new season - even taking into consideration possible exits.

But there is still plenty of transfer movement to come at Anfield in the forthcoming weeks, both incoming and outgoing, with making room for Ngumoha something else clubs bosses will now also have to contend with.


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