'I was England's next big thing like Rio Ngumoha - here's my crucial advice for Liverpool starlet'

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People are going to be saying all sorts to you."You need to have people around you... who are going to tell you maybe when you're not pulling your weight, when maybe you need to be told this isn't good enough. You need these people around you... people that are going to tell you what you need to hear as opposed to what you want to hear."Bent also warned Ngumoha to be cautious of those who dangle glittering offers, but whose intentions are rooted not in his success, but in their own gain."You don't need to be making any new friends because trust me, they're going to come.

"They're going to be offering you everything, saying that they can look after you, they can do this for you, they can do that for you, when they know they've only got their self-interest at heart."Bent, now a pundit for talkSPORT, is one of just 34 players to have scored 100 or more Premier League goals. He enjoyed notable spells at Tottenham, Aston Villa, Charlton, and Sunderland over the course of a lengthy career in the top flight.He is also remembered for one of the most infamous goals in English football history: in 2009, while playing for the Black Cats against Liverpool, his shot struck a beach ball thrown onto the pitch by a Reds fan, ricocheting past a bewildered Pepe Reina.London-born Ngumoha made the switch to Liverpool in 2024 after spending eight years rising through Chelsea's academy.

The Blues - who are still seeking compensation for the loss of their prized talent - reportedly banned Liverpool scouts from attending Chelsea youth matches in the fallout, while club legend John Terry - who had spent years mentoring Ngumoha - confessed he was "gutted" at losing him, even drawing comparisons between the youngster and Eden Hazard.To say Chelsea's loss has been Liverpool's gain would be an understatement. But as Bent has wisely noted, prodigious talent alone isn't enough - you have to navigate it carefully.With guidance from the right people, a club that believes wholeheartedly in his abilities, and a fiery determination that has already turned heads, the young forward isn't just chasing potential - he's beginning to define it.For Liverpool, and for the fans captivated by his rise, the story of Rio Ngumoha is only just beginning - and if he stays grounded, we could be watching a future Anfield legend in the making.Darren Bent is raising awareness of The Football Association’s Silent Support Weekend.