2 weeks ago
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Every time Rio Ngumoha plays for Liverpool, he inevitably seems to do something exciting.
A few days ago, he threatened to run AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori ragged; against Yokohama Marinos, he found the back of the net. There is only one word that accurately describes the former Chelsea youth prospect: electric. And while there is still a rawness to his game, Ngumoha doesn't turn 17 until next month.
As he raced forward with the ball at the Nissan Stadium in Japan, the expectation rose. He had far more senior options who he could have passed to, but he opted instead to go himself. It was the sign of a player brimming with confidence, and it was the right decision.
"There was a moment where he should've squared it so he can learn," Arne Slot said post-match. "But if you are 16 and you impact the game like he did, that's definitely a compliment."
Slot was also quick to point more generally to the impact of the academy players, too, rather than singling out one man. Ngumoha stole the headlines in Yokohama, but it could just as easily have been Trey Nyoni.
Nyoni has always had incredible poise in midfield, looking remarkably similar to Ryan Gravenberch at times. Here, though, he appeared out of nowhere at the back post to acrobatically poke home a Jeremie Frimpong cross.
"He is very fit and today, and against Milan as well, he showed up really well," Wataru Endo said at the final whistle. "It is always good to have that kind of young player."
Given Ngumoha is only 16, and Nyoni is just 14 months older, there cannot be too much expectation placed on them in terms of minutes when the proper stuff kicks off.
But at this rate, given how the pair have taken every chance going during pre-season, they cannot be ruled out as genuine options either.
Luis Diaz, for instance, has gone to Bayern Munich, and there might be a slightly clearer pathway to a substitute appearance here or there for Ngumoha. Cody Gakpo is having a good pre-season, but he won't be playing every single minute.
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Of course, it remains to be seen what happens in terms of more incomings. Alexander Isak remains a target for Liverpool if Newcastle opens the door, and other forwards coming in cannot be completely ruled out. In Ngumoha, though, Liverpool clearly has a gem.
It is surely not a coincidence that those two players are the ones to have grasped their chance this summer. Nor is it accidental that it is they who look to have a good chance of getting into the team.
In attack, Liverpool should have a spot for Ngumoha at times, given the churn in the forward line. In midfield, Nyoni could add some much-needed depth in the more withdrawn roles.
Ngumoha and Nyoni both made their competitive senior debuts for Liverpool last season, playing just under 300 minutes for Slot between them. In 2025/26, it appears that they might better that tally quite quickly.
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