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Ben Doak has confidently predicted big things for Rio Ngumoha after yet another impressive performance from the Liverpool youngster.
Ngumoha once again lit up the Reds’ pre-season as he added another goal to his tally during the 4-1 win over Athletic Club at Anfield. It’s the third time the 16-year-old has hit the target this summer, having previously scored against Stoke City and Yokohama F Marinos.
And it wasn’t just his goal that got fans excited, with the teenager posing a constant threat to Athletic’s defenders, and also grabbed an assist as he nodded down Doak’s cross for Darwin Nunez to add Liverpool’s second in the opening minutes of the game.
Still unable to sign a first professional contract until he turns 17 later this month, Ngumoha is nevertheless impressing more and more with every performance for Liverpool, and he’s giving Arne Slot something to think about for the new Premier League season, which gets underway in just over a week’s time.
And it’s not just the fans he’s impressing, with his teammates unable to contain their excitement at what could be in store for Ngumoha.
"That guy's ridiculous,” Doak told LFCTV. “He's going to have some career ahead of him. So sharp, so talented, if he can just keep going the way he's going, then anything's possible."
Doak also impressed as he too grabbed a goal in Liverpool’s opening win against Athletic, with the Scotland international sending a reminder to Slot of his own talents.
The 19-year-old impressed while on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough last season, although the second half of his campaign was wrecked by injury, although his return has come at a good time amid rumors he could be on the move before the end of the transfer window.
“It’s a big relief to get back out there and to be playing minutes at a very high level,” Doak said.
“It was a bit gutting, the team were in a very good place and a great group of lads up there, but that’s just the way things go sometimes. You just need to move on to the next.
“I’ll always work my hardest for the team, I feel that’s never been an area that I’ve lacked, it’s just more building enough experience, playing more games.”
Liverpool.com says: You don't want to pile too much pressure on Ngumoha considering he is still just 16, but you can't help get excited about him. He has been sensational during pre-season.
Of course, it's one thing doing it in friendlies and another producing it when it really matters, but given what we've seen this summer, he just has to be given some chances in the new season.
Doak also gave a good reminder of what he's capable of, and why we were getting excited about him as well when he was Ngumoha's age. Injuries have been a frustration for him, but hopefully he can get some chances now to show what he's capable of as well.
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