Rio Ngumoha benefits from Liverpool defeat as defender makes long-awaited injury return

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool Under-21s fell to a 2-1 defeat to Nice in their latest friendly meeting at the Academy in KirkbyRio Ngumoha made a rare appearance for Liverpool Under-21s while Luke Chambers made his long-awaited return from injury as the young Reds lost 2-1 to Nice in their latest friendly on Wednesday. Joe Bradshaw was on the scoresheet for Rob Page’s side as they fell to defeat at the Academy in Kirkby.Liverpool have not been in competitive action since beating Chesterfield on penalties in the Vertu Trophy back on November 11, with the Reds instead engaging in a number of friendly matches ahead of their Premier League 2 return away at Norwich City on January 9.Having already faced off against Preston North End, Salford City and Sheffield United, Nice were their latest opponents as they fell to a narrow defeat at their training ground base.READ MORE: Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner deals Liverpool Marc Guehi transfer blow as Reds blamedREAD MORE: Mohamed Salah sent FSG warning as former Liverpool CEO shares theory on his 'fiery' agentNgumoha has been a regular in Arne Slot’s first team squad this season, with the 17-year-old not featuring at academy level as a result.He has made eight appearances for the first team during the current campaign, scoring one goal, and has been named in a further 16 matchday squads, with such action totalling 219 minutes.But having not made an appearance for the Reds since last month’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool took the opportunity to hand the forward some valuable minutes against the French opposition as they took advantage of Slot's men having a rare midweek without a fixture following their League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace earlier in the season.The forward played the opening hour against Nice, and was unfortunate not to open the scoring twice in the opening moments as he saw an effort deflected onto the crossbar before later curling just wide from distance.Fellow forward Keyrol Figueroa also went close twice in the first half before Nice took the lead on the stroke of half-time.They then doubled their lead on the hour-mark, only for Bradshaw to halve the deficit moments later as he finished from close-range after being set up by Figueroa.Chambers, who spent last season on loan at Wigan Athletic only for his campaign to be ended prematurely by a back injury back in March, was brought on for the final 30 minutes as he made his return following a lengthy lay-off.But Liverpool were unable to find a leveller as they fell to a narrow defeat in their latest friendly fixture.Arne Slot - Notes on a SeasonThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

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