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Rio Ngumoha has officially joined Liverpool’s squad for their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Southampton.
But who is this 16-year-old talent that’s currently drawing attention from Anfield fans?
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SunSport is here to shed light on this promising player who envisions a bright future.
How long has Rio Ngumoha been at Liverpool?
This young striker joined the Merseyside club in September from Chelsea as part of Arne Slot‘s early transfer window activities.
Liverpool approached to sign the 16-year-old in April after admiring his goal-scoring skills during Chelsea’s U17 Premier League Cup final against Wolves.
However, Chelsea’s discontent with Liverpool’s acquisition prevented him from taking part in the Reds’ Under-18s until September.
The forward has quickly captured Slot’s attention, leading to his invitation to train with the first team last month.
Ngumoha recently accompanied the Reds for their Champions League match against Girona.
Sadly, he was not eligible to play in the fixture as he did not meet the criteria for List B in Europe’s elite club competition.
His only opportunity to feature would have necessitated being named in the 25-man List A squad.
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What position does Rio Ngumoha play?
The right-footed talent has the versatility to operate across the forward line but primarily positions himself on the left flank.
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Has Rio Ngumoha played for England?
Ngumoha has earned caps for England at both Under-15 and Under-17 levels, scoring twice for the former.
What has Rio Ngumoha declared?
Confident in his potential, Ngumoha has set lofty aspirations, including the ambition of winning the Ballon d’Or – all before his first-team debut.
During a segment on Inside the Academy, he stated: “I genuinely believe I can win the Ballon d’Or in the future.
“My goal is to be acknowledged as one of the greatest players in football history and to earn my place as a legend of the game.
“My passion for the sport ignited when I was around four or five years old.
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“My brother inspired me, and I aspired to follow in his footsteps.
“From a young age, I attended various academies, and it was thrilling when several clubs expressed interest in my talents.
“I’ve learned that resilience and self-belief are crucial.
“Experiencing tough matches is part of the process, but maintaining confidence in your skills is essential for reaching your best potential.
“When I face a challenging period, I focus on moving forward and putting in the necessary hard work.”
