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Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has given an exciting insight into Rio Ngumoha’s development as a player, having got a close look at the teenager from an early age.
Ngumoha was handed another opportunity to impress as Liverpool faced Southampton in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, having already made a big impact on the Reds over the past 12 months.
Having joined from Chelsea last year, the 17-year-old has emerged as one of the Reds’ most exciting prospects, with a brilliant pre-season this summer seeing him earn a regular spot in Arne Slot’s senior squad in the Premier League.
Ngumoha would go on to announce himself to a wider audience with a dramatic late winner at Newcastle, helping Liverpool to maintain its perfect start to its title defense.
He has since earned a place in the Reds’ Champions League squad, beating Federico Chiesa to the spot in the process, and looks set to earn more opportunities as the season progresses, which will come as no surprise to Redknapp.
“He’s just turned 17, sent shockwaves through the Chelsea academy when he left, he’d been there since he was seven years of age,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
“I’d watched him since he was seven or eight years of age, he’s got this God-given talent, pace, when he picks up the ball, I’ve never seen anyone with such fast feet.
“That was the one thing I thought he could improve, but certainly at Liverpool with his finishing, he’s doing that, he’s getting better, he’s getting end product.
“I remember he came to the house to do some work with his brother, who’s a huge influence on him. Chelsea obviously helped him a lot but his brother did a lot of one on one training with him. He came over to the house a couple of times, I watched him work with my son and Rio. It blew my mind to see how quick this kid was.”
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Speaking to ITV Sport ahead of the cup clash against Southampton, Slot outlined the progress made by Ngumoha, and explained what he now wants to see from the teenager as he earns more senior opportunities.
“He's become stronger, more ready for first-team football I think, which is quite special if you're dead young, and another chance for him to show if he can impact a game on this level,” Slot said.
“But the main thing I want to see from him is the work rate, what is done by Cody Gakpo or Luis Diaz when both of them played last season.
“He has the quality which is something I can see, and I think everyone can see.”
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