Liverpool U18s goal machine ready: Three wonderkids who could break through in 25/26
Liverpool have historically benefited from a long and illustrious list of academy graduates to make their name in the first team.
From goal machines Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen to legendary captain Steven Gerrard, and more recently, now Real Madrid man Trent Alexander-Arnold, world-class talents have continued to emerge from the youth system in Kirkby.
And further gems are yet to be uncovered, with Liverpool’s immediate future set to showcase the next generation of Reds talent.
Rio Ngumoha
Ngumoha, alongside Arsenal’s Max Dowman, is currently among the most exciting prospects in English football.
The teenager joined Liverpool from Chelsea at the start of the 2024/25 season and has already featured from the start for Arne Slot’s team, despite only turning 16 last August.
A predominantly left-sided winger, Ngumoha is frighteningly quick and skilful, with a dangerous end product often to match.
The London-born talent featured for both the under-18 and under-21 Liverpool squads last season, assisting for England’s under-17s at the Euros as well.
Liverpool are reportedly willing to sell first-choice left winger Luis Diaz this summer, meaning a chance in the first team could come sooner rather than later for Ngumoha.
Trey Nyoni
Nyoni, 17, has already demonstrated his talent to the Liverpool fans on more than one occasion.
The midfielder scored for the first team during pre-season last year, finding the net against Sevilla with a rasping, volleyed drive.
Nyoni became Liverpool’s youngest-ever Champions League player when he came off the bench against PSV in January, and found his first assist for the club in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley.
Despite possessing a tall and slender frame, the Leicester-born midfielder benefits from a natural ability to dribble in close proximity – featuring a gait similar to that of the World Cup winner Paul Pogba.
Nyoni is yet to make his Premier League debut, but with Liverpool’s lack of depth in central midfield looking set to continue, next season could promise further opportunities.
Joe Bradshaw
There is no shortage of exciting wingers at Liverpool, but Bradshaw is certainly among those destined for first-team action.
The 16-year-old topped the scoring charts with the under-18s squad in the 2024/25 season, netting 11 goals and providing four assists.
Capable of occupying both the right and left wings, and sometimes featuring through the middle, Bradshaw is certainly in line for minutes with the under-21s next season and could even break into the first team.
While Liverpool’s attacking depth is strong, there will be plenty of minutes to go round – a good start in Premier League Two would be difficult to ignore.