Robbie Fowler praises 'very, very clever' Liverpool player after unfamiliar position change
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Robbie Fowler waxed lyrical about the star's prospects after he was deployed in an unfamiliar position against WrexhamAndoni Iraola's perfect start to his first pre-season in charge of Liverpool continued in the early hours of Thursday morning, as his side beat Hollywood darlings Wrexham 1-0 in New York City's Yankee Stadium.The Welsh outfit, backed by actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, has enjoyed a spectacular rise to household name status since the showbiz duo bought the club in 2020 and charted the team's rapid climb through the divisions in the popular 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series.The Red Dragons - having already seen off Manchester United and Leeds United during their pre-season preparations - rose to their glamorous billing and went toe-to-toe with the Reds in the Big Apple, but even silver-screen magic wasn't enough to make it a third win from three games against Premier League sides this month.Instead, Liverpool emerged victorious, after a deflected goal by 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha in the 75th minute settled a scrappy game, which Iraola's side were never 100% in control of.Playing in an unfamiliar role on the right wing after his introduction in the second half, Ngumoha had a quiet performance by his own standards but nevertheless popped up with the decisive moment - his shot skewing off Lewis Brunt after a positive driving run took him into Wrexham's penalty area.Iraola's decision to use Ngumoha from the right and 19-year-old Kieran Morrison from the left - despite both being more accustomed to the opposite flank - may have been an indication of the flexibility the Basque wants from his wide players, but it was conspicuous in the context of Wednesday's news that Liverpool are preparing an offer for PSG left-winger Bradley Barcola.The idea of Ngumoha switching wings hasn't proved universally popular. But he's that player who can go both sides."So I was interested to see if the manager wanted him to go that way, because that's better obviously for the forward, whether it's [Hugo] Ekitike or [Alexander] Isak or whoever plays there eventually, but I think that's what Liverpool need."He's got that in his locker.
He's very, very clever."FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! And that's what he's done, he's earned that."And you've got to find a way to get around it.
Fowler therefore identified building up his minutes as the next step for Ngumoha."That's why I was wanting him to tell us about the minutes he's playing," Fowler said. "Because at times last year, he probably wasn't as fit as what he should be - not as fit, that sounds terrible - but not at the fitness he should be for lasting 90 minutes."But he's an exciting player, and maybe when teams are tired you want him to come into his own then and he can upset teams a little bit more then."Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 away kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.