Virgil van Dijk outlines priority for 'special talent' Rio Ngumoha after Wolves display

Ngumoha was voted player of the match at Molineux, on a night that underlined the teenager's raw talents. But Van Dijk has called for calm amid the media hype surrounding the winger

Virgil van Dijk has looked to downplay the pressure on Ngumoha

Virgil van Dijk claimed Rio Ngumoha was “outstanding” in Liverpool’s victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, but feels the teenager should only be focusing on continuing his gradual improvement.

Ngumoha earned the Player-of-the-Match award after an impressive performance on just the fifth senior start of his career. The winger carried a constant threat from the left flank and completed more dribbles than anyone else on the pitch, while managing nine touches in the opposition area, more than double the next highest.

While some may view Ngumoha’s display in the FA Cup victory as proof he is ready to play a bigger role for Arne Slot’s side, Van Dijk has called for calm, and said his priority should be on continuing his soccer education.

“Very pleased [for him]. Obviously, we all see day in day out how much of a special talent he is, in terms of in one v ones, with the pace he drives at players,” the Liverpool captain told TNT Sports.

“He's working hard, he's a good boy. We're looking after him. We speak to him constantly, and he needs to keep learning, soaking it all up and taking that into his progress.

“Today was a good day for him, nothing more, nothing less. He has to keep going and onto the next.”

Ngumoha was outstanding in the win over Wolves(Image: AFP or licensors)

The 3-1 win over Wolves in the FA Cup came just three days after the Premier League loss at Molinuex, a match Ngumoha started on the bench.

Van Dijk, when asked what the difference was between those games, implied that Ngumoha's inclusion in the cup match was a huge factor.

“The pace we kept playing. There were a lot of one-v-one moments on the sides,” said the Dutchman.

“Rio was outstanding. He made life difficult for their right wing-back and right centre-back, at times.

Liverpool earned an important win at Molineux(Image: 2026 Allstar)

“We kept pushing. We found the first goal and that changed the rest of the game. It opens up a little bit more. I think to score the second and third was game over.

“It was very important [to bounce back]. I think it was a very disappointing night [on Tuesday], especially a very disappointing last 20 minutes of the game,” Van Dijk added.

“We had to make something right here and obviously the FA Cup is very important to us, especially this season. Hopefully we can keep going.”

Liverpool will discover its quarter-final opponent in Monday’s draw, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in action this weekend.