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Rio Ngumoha got Anfield on its feet with his superb goal inside two minutes(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Anfield was a little more sparse than usual as Liverpool's first friendly of the evening against Athletic Bilbao kicked off due to an earlier evacuation, but even amongst the reduced numbers there would have been those who didn't know who Rio Ngumoha was.

If they got in in time, they do now.

Just 81 seconds were on the clock when Ngumoha, who won't turn 17 until the end of this month, picked up the ball inside his own half and drove at the visiting defenders in much the same way he had against Yokohama F Marinos in Japan last week.



And you're starting to suspect he won't.

READ MORE:Anfield evacuated ahead of Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao friendly double-headerREAD MORE:Virgil van Dijk lifts lid on 'surreal' impact Diogo Jota's death has had on Liverpool squad

Ngumoha's sole taste of first-team action in the last campaign came in an FA Cup third round tie against Accrington Stanley, but after scoring what is already his third goal of this pre-season then there are many calling for Slot to throw him into the meaningful matches soon and more often.

The Reds have sold Luis Diaz after all, and so there is a vacancy on their left wing, and everyone has to start somewhere.

well we should probably stop there shouldn't we.

Article continues belowRio Ngumoha scored his third goal of pre-season(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

But while Liverpool are still determined to treat the young Ngumoha with kid gloves, but he is being treated like a first-team player.

He was interviewed by club media in Japan, and notably now sports his first name on the back of his shirt rather than his surname - clearly something he felt emboldened enough to request.

After his goal to get the Anfield crowd on their feet he was soon turning provider when he nodded down for Darwin Nunez to apply a simple finishing touch.

In celebration the name Rio was bellowed down from the Kop and not Darwin.

Ngumoha was a threat throughout the game(Image: Getty Images)

Ngumoha would remain pivotal to how Liverpool attacked, with his stepovers and rolling of the ball under his feet delighting the crowd until his 66th minute replacement to a standing ovation.

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The Reds were 4-0 up by that point thanks to further goals from Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott, eventually winning 4-1, but none of those strikes were as special as the opener nor the player who scored it.

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