Arne Slot made telling Rio Ngumoha prediction just weeks before Liverpool firing

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Rio Ngumoha shone during a difficult season for Liverpool, with fired boss Arne Slot predicting the teenage winger had a bright future at AnfieldArne Slot spoke about Rio Ngumoha's breakthrough season at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot tipped Rio Ngumoha to become a star of the future after introducing him to first-team duties at Anfield.The 47-year-old was dismissed by the Reds shortly after the season concluded and has since been succeeded by Andoni Iraola. The winger netted a dramatic winner against Newcastle in August, just before his 17th birthday, and doubled his Premier League tally against Fulham in April.The latter goal at Anfield came in only his second league start, but Slot predicted there would be no shortage of memorable moments to come from Ngumoha.Slot praised Ngumoha after his goal against Fulham(Image: Getty Images)When asked whether the goal offered a glimpse into Liverpool's future, Slot responded: "Yeah, but not only the long future, also the near future."I think I've said a few weeks, maybe months ago, one or two months ago, that his playing time would increase because he got stronger and stronger, showed more and more when he came in, but also in training sessions, that it wasn't only a nice trick, but there was more and more end product to what he did."There was more and more power to what he did, which is needed if you play against the best defenders in the world.

And I don't think anyone is surprised that at this moment of time he scored his first goal [at Anfield]."Slot went on: "He has such a special quality which you don't see a lot in football anymore: dominating the one-v-one situation."And that's exactly what he did when he scored his goal, making the ball free by twisting and turning and then hitting it in like a Mo Salah finish, I would say."Ngumoha made 29 appearances for the Reds, and his impressive campaign has extended to the international arena. While omitted from Thomas Tuchel's World Cup selection, the winger earned his England debut in the recent 1-0 friendly victory over New Zealand.He operated on the right wing and claimed the player of the match accolade, despite typically featuring on the left for Liverpool.

Ngumoha received his first England cap from Jude Bellingham, with the Real Madrid star heaping praise on the teenager's display.His performances have reportedly drawn attention from Bayern Munich. However, Liverpool will be reluctant to part with Ngumoha, whom Slot previously tipped to enjoy a lengthy future at Anfield.