If Liverpool's plethora of world-class summer signings, at a cost of over £200 million, didn't already stir up enough excitement among supporters, the emergence of 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha has surely added the finishing touch.

A prodigious attacking midfielder, whose name has long circulated in youth-football circles, Ngumoha had already given a glimpse of his potential when became the youngest Liverpool player [aged 16 years and 135 days old] to appear in the FA Cup when given a start against Accrington Stanley back in January 2025 (his only senior appearance to date.) But in Liverpool's final pre-season clash against Athletic Club at Anfield, the teenager made his breakthrough from the first whistle.

With only two minutes on the clock, Ngumoha scored a brilliant individual goal which encapsulated many of his skills.



Picking up the ball in his own half, he forcefully nudged midfielder Curtis Jones aside then surged forward in a determined fashion before rifling a strike into the net from the edge of the area.

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Initially a standout player in Chelsea's academy, Ngumoha was considered such a talent that Liverpool scouts were reportedly denied access to Cobham once word of the Merseyside club's interest spread.

Liverpool have even bent their usually rigid wage policy for academy graduates to secure the London-born prospect, who is of Nigerian descent, and hopes are high that he can make an impact on the first-team this season.

Position

Right footed and predominantly operating on the left flank, where he likes to cut inside, Ngumoha isn't your typical wide playmaker.

He's not someone who demands constant ball contact to orchestrate moves; instead, he thrives on finding space to isolate his opponents in one-vs.-ones.

The graphic above shows how he can start moves from deep with take-ons, and primarily looks to influence play on the left side of the final third with passes, dribbles and shots.

Strengths

Ngumoha's goal against Athletic Club highlighted several of his defining qualities: excellent dribbling (potentially one of the best Liverpool have had in years), composure under pressure, and an insatiable desire to head goalward once space opens up.

I just want to do bigger and better things for me and the club." -- Ngumoha on his future.

- "We've only played two games over here [on their Asian tour] and we haven't played against Premier League opponents yet, but I see him train, I see him play, and the impact he has when he trains and plays is really promising.

"Playing in the Premier League, playing every three days with the Champions League games in between, that's something else.

However, with Luis Diaz having left the club this summer to join Bayern Munich, there will likely be opportunities for Ngumoha to get minutes under his belt playing on the left wing.

Based on his preseason performances, he certainly looks up for the challenge.
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