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Rio Ngumoha has said he wants to use this summer’s experiences with the first team to continue his development, but hinted that he does not expect to play an immediate role in the Liverpool senior side.
The teenager, who became the youngest-ever starter in Liverpool’s history when he was named in the XI against Accrington Stanley in January’s FA Cup third-round tie, has enjoyed a superb start to preseason. Ngumoha has started both of the matches against Preston North End and Stoke City, netting in the latter.
But in the Reds’ star-studded squad, the 16-year-old knows he will have to be patient for first-team opportunities. Luis Diaz didn’t feature in either of the opening two friendly games, while the need to select a big squad for the matches certainly played into Ngumoha’s hands.
For now, the winger said he is focusing on his own development and hopes the chances come further down the line.
“I feel like the experience is just indescribable really,” the ex-Chelsea youngster told Liverpool’s official club website in Hong Kong, ahead of the pre-season clash against AC Milan on Saturday.
“It’s like every kid’s dream really. Training with the best team in the world; the players that you get to train with, you learn from them and you really test yourself against them. It has been very good.
“Patience is key," he added. "I don’t want to rush anything. I’m young.
"Just keep working hard, pushing hard and just showing the manager what I can really do, and affect the team."
Ngumoha trained with the first-team squad regularly last season and was named in two matchday squads, in addition to the Accrington game.
But there's a sense that he could have a bigger role this term, along with Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns. That there's uncertainty surrounding the futures of Diaz and Federico Chiesa also could hand Ngumoha further playing opportunities.
Therefore, a summer familiarizing himself with the senior members of the squad could prove hugely beneficial.
“They really help the young players – especially me, Trey [Nyoni]," the winger said, when asked about spending more time with the first-team group.
"They help us really settle in. [Mohamed] Salah was one of my role models growing up obviously, so it’s really big [to be] learning from him.
“Everyone is really professional and you can see why they’re at the top. They’re always thinking about football, recovery, little things like eating right. So, [you] definitely can learn a lot from them."
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