
Rio Ngumoha has made his way onto Liverpool’s lineup for the Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Southampton.
But who is this 16-year-old capturing the attention of fans at Anfield?
SunSport is keen to spotlight this rising talent who has high hopes for his future.
How long has Rio Ngumoha been with Liverpool?
The young star joined the Merseyside club in September after transferring from Chelsea during Arne Slot’s early transfer maneuvers.
Liverpool sought to sign the 16-year-old in April following his impressive goal-scoring display in Chelsea’s U17 Premier League Cup final against Wolves.
However, Chelsea’s displeasure with Liverpool’s acquisition caused a delay in his participation with the Kop’s Under-18s until September.
The forward has left a strong impression on Slot during his time at the club, which led to an invitation to train with the first team last month.
Ngumoha was included in the Reds’ squad for their Champions League fixture against Girona, but sadly, he did not qualify to play as he was not on the European tournament’s List B.
For him to take part, he would have needed to be listed in the 25-man List A roster.
What position does Rio Ngumoha play?
This right-footed player is versatile across the frontline but primarily plays on the left flank.
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Has Rio Ngumoha represented England?
Ngumoha has played for England at both Under-15 and Under-17 levels, scoring two goals for the Under-15 team.
What has Rio Ngumoha expressed?
With firm belief in his talents, Ngumoha has set high aspirations, including winning the Ballon d’Or – all before stepping on the first-team field.
In an interview posted on Inside the Academy, he mentioned: “I truly think I can win the Ballon d’Or one day.
“My ambition is to be acknowledged as one of the all-time greats in football and to become a genuine legend in this sport.
“I fell in love with football when I was just four or five years old.
“I was driven by my brother and aimed to emulate his success.
“I joined various academies early on, and it was exhilarating when different clubs showed interest in signing me.
“I’ve learned the importance of perseverance and self-belief.
“Experiencing tough performances is part of the journey, but maintaining faith in your skills is essential.
“For me, when facing a dip in form, I simply progress and focus on putting forth the effort.”