Liverpool fans should be excited by 15-year-old starlet already making waves in the U18s this season - opinion

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Rio Ngumoha has been generating plenty of headlines at Liverpool and beyond this season after integrating into the first team set-up.The teenager became the Reds’ youngest ever scorer when he bagged against Newcastle before turning 17 in August, and has continued to get game time under Arne Slot since.Rather than being a prospect of the Liverpool academy, Ngumoha joined the Reds from Chelsea in 2024. The Blues were reportedly furious at having lost him.But while Ngumoha has the potential to be a top player for years at Liverpool, it would be nice to see a homegrown local player come through alongside him.The Reds have had several academy success stories in recent years, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Conor Bradley all forging their name at Anfield.And while it may be very early days, fans would be wise to keep a close eye on youngster Josh Abe, who has been playing for the U18s this term despite being just 15 years old.Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesJosh Abe is one to watch at LiverpoolAs Ngumoha has shown this season, if you are good enough, you are very much old enough at Liverpool.First team footballers appear to be getting younger and younger as the years pass, as seen in the first team promotion of 15-year-old Max Dowman at Arsenal.READ MORE: Seven top talents Liverpool scouts are set to watch at the U20 World Cup in ChileHaving only turned 15 himself in July 2025, Abe is even younger than Dowman.

But having started two of Liverpool U18s’ five matches this season, including Saturday’s 3-0 win over Leeds United, there are clearly high hopes for him at Anfield.Abe is a left-footed right winger, and although he is yet to register a goal contribution for the U18s, he has been impressing observers of Liverpool’s youth teams.Two clips of Josh Abe(15) from today for Liverpool U18 getting to grips with the level. Doesn’t look a problem. pic.twitter.com/YF5yy05x1P— Lewis Bower (@LewisBower2021) September 27, 2025 View Tweet Given the likelihood of Mohamed Salah departing Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract in 2027, there is potentially a spot opening up for a left-footed forward within the Reds’ squad.Abe would be just 17 at the time of Salah’s contract expiring.

But as Ngumoha is showing, that should not be a barrier to him making a first team impact.Liverpool need to make sure not to lose AbeIt has been a long while since Liverpool produced a forward player through the academy who could genuinely play for the first team.While there is a long way to go for Abe in that respect, the early signs are there that it could be a possibility.As Liverpool saw to their benefit with Ngumoha, though, there is no guarantee that players like Rio and Abe will stay at the club who raised them.The Reds need to ensure they do what they can to keep their very best youngsters on board. Abe falls into that category.As he is still ineligible for a professional contract for two more years, there is always a lingering chance that the player will have his head turned by another club.