9 hours ago
58
Liverpool supporters are rallying behind Florian Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha after the duo impressed during the Reds' 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong.
Rafael Leao set off down the left flank for AC Milan and opened the scoring with a powerful strike past Alisson Becker early in the match. Before halftime, Dominik Szoboszlai fired in a stunning equalizer. Shortly after the break, former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek restored Milan’s lead, followed by a brilliant finish from ex-Red Bull Salzburg forward Noah Okafor.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo pulled one back late on, but Okafor sealed the victory with a second goal shortly before the final whistle.
Wirtz sparked excitement with every touch, while Ngumoha gave a promising glimpse of his potential. Together, they left Liverpool fans smiling throughout the first half.
Wirtz, who joined Liverpool in a high-profile summer transfer, has quickly shown glimpses of the creativity and technical skill that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young talents.
In recent preseason fixtures, fans have noted his vision, movement, and confident ball control as promising signs for Liverpool’s midfield dynamism this coming season.
Equally, Ngumoha, another fresh addition to the squad, has impressed supporters with his pace, agility, and willingness to take on defenders. His performances have offered hope that he could become a valuable asset on Liverpool’s flanks, injecting energy and unpredictability into the team’s attack.
The 16-year-old completed the most dribbles (three) and won the most duels (four) in the first half.
Fans took to X to share their thoughts on how the duo performed. One user said: "Rio Ngumoha’s decision making has hugely improved over a few months. Sometimes it’s the hardest thing to teach a fast, skilful player, but he’s picked it up quickly."
Another added: "Florian Wirtz. What a football player."
While the team experienced a mixed start to their pre-season campaign, the encouraging displays from Wirtz and Ngumoha have provided a silver lining and sparked hope that Liverpool’s summer reinforcements could play a crucial role in the club’s pursuit of silverware this season.
As the Premier League season approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly these promising talents can adapt and make their mark in competitive matches. With a congested campaign coming up, the likes of Ngumoha, especially, will be looking to gain some vital minutes in the first team, and he has firmly put himself on Arne Slot's radar.
Liverpool fans seem united in one thing — their excitement for what the future holds with Wirtz and Ngumoha in the squad.
Liverpool.com says: From his quick decision-making to his intelligent movement, Wirtz looked every bit the elite talent Liverpool invested in. Alongside Ngumoha, the Reds' next generation is already making its presence felt. If this is just the start, Liverpool fans have every reason to be excited.
English (US) ·