What formrer Liverpool stars are saying about Anfield wonderkid Rio Ngumoha
Rio Ngumoha is getting a lot of people’s attention during Liverpool’s pre-season schedule.
The 16-year-old scored a stunning solo goal in the recent 3-1 victory over Yokohoma F. Marinos and tormented the opposing defence throughout his time on the pitch.
Ngumoha replaced Cody Gakpo after 73 minutes but his short cameo has got a lot of people talking about him.
Of course, those with inside access to Anfield would have already been aware of the youngster’s talent.
Here, Liverpool News rounds up what some key figures have said about Ngumoha’s future.
Slot calls for consistency from Ngumoha
Arne Slot hasn’t been shy of heaping praise on his teenage star.
When he made his Liverpool debut in the 4-0 FA Cup win against Accrington Stanley, Slot called it a “special day”.
“He can dominate one‑v‑one situations, he is very quick on his feet, he can change directions really fast,” Slot said after that game.
However, after the game against Yokohoma, the Liverpool boss seemed keener to keep the teenager’s feet on the ground.
When asked whether we could expect to see Ngumoha in the Premier League, he said: “We’ve only played two games over here and we haven’t played against Premier League opponents yet.
“Playing in the Premier League, playing every three days with the Champions League games in between, that’s something else.”
However, Slot admitted that Ngumoha would surely earn more minutes on the pitch during the regular season if he continues to perform as he has been in training and matches.
Other former Liverpool stars rave about Ngumoha
Slot isn’t the only person to have waxed lyrical about Ngumoha.
John Aldridge and Steve McManaman are among the former Liverpool players to have acknowledged the youngster well before this performance against Yokohoma.
Last month, Aldridge wrote that he’s “hearing great things” about Yokohoma while McManaman has said he has “really nice traits”, although both warned Liverpool fans not to get carried away as he’s only 16 and still needs to develop.
- Full Name: Rio Chima Ngumoha
- Date of birth: 29 August 2008
- Squad number: 73
- Competitive Liverpool appearances: 1
- Competitive goals: 0
BBC pundit and former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has praised Ngumoha’s ability in one vs one situations, calling him “explosive” when he gets on the ball.
Jay Spearing, who is Liverpool’s academy coach, has described the teenager as “very gifted on the ball”, claiming he’s capable of beating multiple players.
Liverpool recruited Ngumoha from Chelsea’s academy, but key figures at the London club were also aware of his potential. Former John Terry has described him as a ‘top player’.
It had recently been claimed that Liverpool were asked to delete pre-season training footage featuring Ngumoha, because it was too embarrassing for the club’s senior defenders.
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