What John Barnes has said about Rio Ngumoha as Liverpool announcement made
Liverpool gem Rio Ngumoha’s future has been confirmed.
Chelsea were furious when Liverpool nabbed Ngumoha from their academy in 2024, but the move has paid off for the youngster, as he has featured for Arne Slot’s side on numerous occasions.
Real Madrid had hoped to poach Ngumoha from Liverpool, repeating the trick that they did with Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer.
However, the Reds have acted quickly to tie down one of their most promising talents, who lit up the football world with his late winner against Newcastle in August.
Rio Ngumoha signs new contract with Liverpool
Rio Ngumoha has signed a new deal with Liverpool, his first professional contract, which will keep him at Anfield for the foreseeable future.
The Reds took to X on 25 September to announce that the 17-year-old had put pen to paper on fresh terms.
Much like Reds legend John Barnes, Ngumoha is an electric winger, capable of tearing apart defences, and the ex-England star was full of praise, but warned Slot and Co to take care of him.
Speaking to the PA news agency in August, he said: “Let him grow slowly.
“We remember Theo Walcott, he was the same at 16, let’s not put too much expectation on him, and Liverpool will handle him well.
“He’s not going to be a starter for Liverpool anytime soon, but to involve him in the squad, keep his feet on the ground, let him grow slowly, he’s at the right club for that because Liverpool know how to handle their youngsters.”
John Barnes is right with Rio Ngumoha claim at Liverpool
Barnes is spot on, the Reds cannot afford to rush the former Cobham product into action too quickly, because he will get injured and his development will be stunted.
The likes of Walcott, Michael Owen, Ledley King and Jack Wilshere have all seen their careers set back by constant injuries after playing a lot when they were young.
- Ngumoha has made five appearances for Liverpool so far
- He has featured twice in the Premier League and once in the Champions League
- He has also made one appearance in the FA Cup and one in the Carabao Cup
It seems like Slot and Co are taking it slow with Ngumoha, and giving him sporadic minutes in the Premier League and Champions League, which is the right strategy.
He has every chance of becoming a star, but forcing him into too much, too soon, is not the right way to go.
Luckily, it seems like the L4 outfit already know, and are being careful not to overexpose the young winger, which will serve his development in the long-term.
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