Rio Ngumoha outlines next Liverpool aim and gives honest verdict on playing opportunities

The teenager has showed signs that he is ready to make a consistent impact at first-team level, but is yet to start a Premier League game. After another impressive showing on Sunday, the teenager chose to speak to written media for the first time in his fledgling career

Rio Ngumoha has said he hopes to continue improving and earn more on-field minutes at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Rio Ngumoha said he is primarily focused on his personal development as a player and hopes that will lead to more playing opportunities with Liverpool.

Having featured in just one senior game before this season, the teenager has established himself as a regular in the Liverpool squad this term. He has been selected in all but one of the club’s matchday rosters, but given his age, Arne Slot has been cautious when distributing Ngumoha’s on-field minutes.

The winger has played 15 times this season, but has started on just three occasions - all of which came in the domestic cup competitions. However, given his impressive cameos off the bench in recent weeks - including against Nottingham Forest on Sunday - there have been increasing calls for Ngumoha to be handed a starting berth.

Jamie Carragher has been among them, with the ex-Red insisting after the win over Forest that Ngumoha needs to play more regularly, especially given the struggles of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.

Ngumoha’s accomplished display at the City Ground showed maturity beyond his years, a trait the Liverpool protege demonstrated again after the game when he opted to stop and talk to reporters in Nottingham.

“I think it has gone really well,” the 17-year-old said, reflecting on his season so far. “I am learning a lot every day and playing with and training with some of the best players in the world.

“I can't ask for much more as a young kid. So I just think I need to carry on improving, working hard in training and showing what I can do to the manager.

“I just think, every single time I am called on for the team, I just want to show everyone what I can do really.”

Ngumoha impressed off the bench against Forest

He has certainly achieved that in recent weeks. Ngumoha’s introduction helped push Liverpool towards a crucial 1-0 win on Sunday, with the youngster’s cross leading to Alexis Mac Allister’s disallowed goal in injury-time.

Ngumoha has also impressed when coming off the bench against Bournemouth, Qarabag and Brighton & Hove Albion of late, with his willingness to take on defenders a rare and valued skill in the Premier League.

“I know I need to at least do something and try and impact the game, whether that is on the ball or off the ball,” Ngumoha said in his first-ever interview with written media. “So whether it is trying to put in a tackle or press to win the ball back, put balls into the box, have shots on target or just beat my man.

Ngumoha's ability to beat defenders one-on-one is a rarity in the Premier League(Image: Getty Images)

“If the opportunity is there to take on a man, I will do it any day of the week.

“Hopefully, soon [I’ll start to play more]. I just need to keep pushing and keep gaining the manager's trust, and hopefully that leads to more minutes.

“The manager is very important to me and he gives me a lot,” he added. “After training, he always gives me the right things. We always have a meeting and he tells me how well I am doing and he just shows me certain clips of training.”

If Ngumoha continues in a similar vein, those roles could be reversed. The forward would certainly be justified in reminding Slot of his best moments in recent weeks, and what exactly he can offer this side.