-Credit:Robin Jones/Getty Images
Liverpool continued its pattern of snapping up some of the best young talent around during the summer when it signed Rio Ngumoha. And the 16-year-old could potentially feature against Accrington today.
“Trey [Nyoni] has been in the squad many times already,” Arne Slot said during his Friday press conference. “Rio only once — Southampton away I think — but these players are doing really well when they train with us.
“They are doing really well when they play with the U21s. So as long as they keep doing that, their chances of getting their moment in the first team will increase of course.”
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Ngumoha, who was described as one of the best players in his age group in the country before he arrived at Anfield, has represented England at U16 level and signed as a scholar at Liverpool after a deal was concluded. It was first reported in July that the 16-year-old had decided to leave Chelsea, leaving the Premier League side “furious”.
He chose to move to Merseyside because of the clear pathway to first team minutes, which could be realized further today, but the switch had to get approval from the Premier League. Such a process is standard when a player moves between academies.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool -Credit:Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Ngumoha has mainly linked up with Liverpool’s Under-18s, coached by Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, and has caught the eye in the UEFA Youth League, the competition which elevated the progression of the likes of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones. He has four assists in all competitions to date in a Liverpool shirt.
The Reds also signed center-back Amara Nallo from West Ham United in 2023. Elliott (Fulham), Kaide Gordon (Derby County), Bobby Clark (Newcastle United), James McConnell (Sunderland) and Ben Doak (Celtic) are other examples of players who have chosen the Reds as their next step, convinced by the opportunities that they will be provided with.
Liverpool also confirmed the signing of teenage defender Alvin Ayman last summer. The 16-year-old full-back, who can also play in midfield, arrived after a deal was agreed with the Premier League side Wolves.