Wayne Rooney makes feelings clear on Rio Ngumoha and what he spotted about Liverpool ace

• Liverpool FC News
• Features
• Wayne Rooney

Rio Ngumoha made his first Premier League start for Liverpool for Tottenham this weekend, with Wayne Rooney among those to be impressed by his performance at Anfield

Soccer pundit Wayne Rooney.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney says Rio Ngumoha was a "joy to watch" for Liverpool against Tottenham, with the 17-year-old forward earning rave reviews on his first Premier League start.

Ngumoha added some extra pace and dynamism in the Liverpool attack, but the Reds couldn't move more than one goal ahead and were ultimately punished by Richarlison late on when the game had descended into chaos.

On the opposite flank, Jeremie Frimpong wasn't quite so effective, but the injection of some speed in the final third made a big difference for Liverpool in the opening 45 minutes. After the break, the Reds allowed the game to drift.

"Ngumoha is direct and positive," Rooney said on Match of the Day. "It is a joy to watch these young players willing to take the ball.

"We saw it with Max Dowman at Arsenal. You wanted the Liverpool players to keep giving him the ball. He is exciting and entertaining."

"We see a lot of modern-day footballers get into good positions and play the safe pace to recycle possession," Micah Richards added.

Rio Ngumoha made his first start in the Premier League for Liverpool against Tottenham(Image: (Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

"But he is positive and sharp. Pedro Porro found it very difficult because he didn’t know what to do with Ngumoha. The next part of his development is the final ball."

Ngumoha saw a shout for a penalty waved away and he was very direct in his play. The teenager completed 90 per cent of his passes and all of his seven attempted dribbles.

"I have 12-13 players that are able to bring good performances," Arne Slot said post-match on BBC Radio 5Live.

"Rio is doing that well it makes sense to play him. It is a mix of playing the ones that are fit and using the quality that these players can bring."

On social media, Ngumoha reacted to the Liverpool draw. "Disappointed with the result today but happy to make my first Premier League start," he wrote. "We go again."

Liverpool.com says: Ngumoha made a real difference for the Reds, but he will need to be managed carefully. There were a few moans and groans around Anfield when he was taken off just after the hour mark, but the rationale is clear.

At his age and stage of his development, he can't play 90 minutes every week. Liverpool will continue to be careful with him — keeping away from training at times, for example, so he isn't overplayed — but the clamor to see more of him will only grow.