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Rio Ngumoha has impressed in pre-season for Liverpool, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
While Liverpool’s major summer acquisitions made their Anfield debuts, it was 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha who emerged as a standout performer, despite featuring in a separate match.
The Reds engaged in a unique double-header against Athletic Bilbao, with what could be described as their second-string sides competing at 17:00 BST, followed by the first teams at 20:00 BST.
Ngumoha, an England Under-17 international forward, started the initial game and quickly made his mark with a goal and an assist within the first five minutes.
The match concluded with a 4-1 scoreline, with Darwin Nunez, Ben Doak, and Harvey Elliott also finding the net.
Later, in the first-team fixture, Arne Slot fielded summer signings valued at £263.5 million.
These included midfielder Florian Wirtz, forward Hugo Ekitike, full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, whose transfer was finalized a year after the initial agreement.
However, Cody Gakpo arguably stole the headlines, scoring twice for Liverpool and once for Athletic Bilbao in a 3-2 victory for the Reds. Mohamed Salah scored the opening goal but later missed a penalty.
“Across both games, we generated numerous opportunities and scored seven goals, which is very encouraging,” remarked manager Slot.
Ngumoha, who will turn 17 later this month, continued to shine during pre-season, leading fans to speculate whether he could feature in the first team this year.
The second-youngest player ever to start a competitive game for Liverpool began the friendly on the left wing and impressed, continuing his strong summer form.
The teenager scored in the second minute, capitalizing on a loose ball in his own half before driving forward and curling a precise shot into the net from 20 yards.
Just three minutes later, he headed down a cross from Doak for Darwin Nunez to convert from close range.
Liverpool supporters chanted his name as Curtis Jones urged them to show their appreciation.
He consistently troubled the La Liga side with his dribbling and skill.
The 16-year-old was substituted to a standing ovation midway through the second half.
“He is an outstanding prospect,” commented former Reds defender Gary Gillespie on LFC TV.
“The challenge lies in managing expectations, but it’s difficult to contain the excitement.”
Slot noted: “Rio is demonstrating his abilities consistently in pre-season.”
Ngumoha’s performance follows an assist against AC Milan and a goal against Yokohama F. Marinos in earlier friendlies in Asia.
He appears to be a promising talent, albeit raw, and will be eager for more first-team opportunities.
In January, Ngumoha became the youngest player to start a match for Liverpool – at 16 years and 135 days old – in the 4-0 FA Cup victory over Accrington.
However, that was his sole first-team appearance, and he did not make the bench for any Premier League games.
This could change this season, especially with the significant changes occurring in Liverpool’s attacking options.
The tragic death of centre forward Diogo Jota in a car accident has been a central theme of Liverpool’s pre-season. Tributes were paid to him before and during the game at Anfield.
Winger Luis Diaz has been sold to Bayern Munich, and Nunez is reportedly a target for Saudi Pro League clubs.
If Nunez were to depart, Liverpool’s primary frontline options would be limited to Salah, new signing Ekitike, and Gakpo, potentially creating an opportunity for players like Ngumoha to emerge.
That is, unless they succeed in signing Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. An initial bid of £110 million has been rejected.
“I’m not trying to rush things because I’m still young,” Ngumoha said last week.
“But I also want to show the manager what I’m capable of and avoid complacency. I aim to achieve bigger and better things for myself and the club.”
Ngumoha is not a Liverpool academy graduate, having joined from Chelsea’s youth setup last summer.
At the time, Blues legend John Terry predicted, “This boy is and will be a top player.”
He’s proving to be correct.
Cody Gakpo – pictured here with summer signings Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez – scored twice.
Slot achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Premier League title in his first season with minimal squad additions, only fringe player Federico Chiesa arriving.
He is now constructing a team of his own, and the initial signs are promising within a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation.
Wirtz, the £100 million German attacking midfielder, displayed glimpses of his potential with excellent touches and came close to scoring on several occasions.
At right-back, Frimpong showed similarities to his predecessor Trent Alexander-Arnold, now at Real Madrid, excelling more in attack than defense.
The Dutchman covered the flank effectively at Anfield, although he did not adequately deal with a free-kick into the box that led to Oihan Sancet’s equalizing goal.
Kerkez, the former Bournemouth left-back, looked impressive. Ekitike was lively, running to the byline before setting up Salah’s opening goal.
The Frenchman nearly scored his first Anfield goal, but Gakpo intervened to score his second of the game.
That would be his third, including the accidental header into his own net from a Maroan Sannadi flick-on.
A concern remains at centre-back. With Virgil van Dijk out due to illness and Joe Gomez injured, midfielder Wataro Endo had to start alongside Ibrahima Konate.
The alternative options were other players out of position or youngsters, or both. In the first game, 18-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni had to fill in.
“Today, we conceded very few chances, which pleased me,” said Slot.
“However, conceding from two set-pieces is not ideal, particularly with Palace next week [in the Community Shield], who are strong in those situations. It’s another area to work on.”
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