Rio Ngumoha gets rare Liverpool chance as forgotten man finally makes comeback

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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesRio NgumohaTeenage sensation Rio Ngumoha made a rare appearance for Liverpool U21s while Luke Chambers finally returned from injury in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Nice on WednesdayRio Ngumoha played for the U21s again on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)Rio Ngumoha made a rare outing for Liverpool's U21 team, and forgotten man Luke Chambers marked his much-anticipated return from injury, as the young Reds suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nice in their latest friendly on Wednesday.Joe Bradshaw found the back of the net for Rob Page's side in the loss at the Academy in Kirkby. Liverpool hasn't seen competitive action since its penalty shootout victory over Chesterfield in the Vertu Trophy on November 11, instead participating in several friendlies ahead of the team's Premier League 2 comeback away at Norwich on January 9.After squaring off against Preston, Salford, and Sheffield United, Nice was Liverpool's latest opponent, resulting in a narrow defeat at the Merseyside club's training ground.READ MORE: Harvey Elliott told $37M Everton star can be 'blueprint' after Aston Villa transfer nightmareREAD MORE: Former Liverpool star names ideal transfer replacement for Mohamed SalahNgumoha has been a staple in Arne Slot's first-team squad this season.The 17-year-old has consequently been absent from the academy team.He has clocked up eight appearances for the first team during the current campaign, netting one goal.Ngumoha has also been included in an additional 16 matchday squads, racking up a total of 219 minutes on the pitch.Luke Chambers is back in action(Image: Getty Images)However, having not donned the red shirt since last month's 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool seized the chance to give the forward some crucial game time against the French side.The Reds capitalized on Slot's players having a rare midweek without a match following their League Cup exit to Crystal Palace earlier in the season.The forward featured in the first hour against Nice, and was unlucky not to break the deadlock twice early on as he saw a shot deflected onto the crossbar before later narrowly missing from long range.His fellow striker, Keyrol Figueroa, also came close to scoring twice in the first half before Nice edged ahead just before the interval.Nice then extended its lead at the 60-minute mark, only for Bradshaw to reduce the arrears shortly after, finishing from close range following an assist from Figueroa.Chambers, who spent the previous season on loan at Wigan before a back injury cut his campaign short in March, was introduced for the final 30 minutes as he made his comeback after a lengthy absence.However, Liverpool couldn't find an equalizer and succumbed to a narrow loss in the team's latest friendly match.