Rio Ngumoha‘s influence on Liverpool’s pre-season “offers power to the crew,” says Arne Slot, who’s delighted together with his progress regardless of nonetheless having “studying factors.”
Ngumoha scored his second purpose of pre-season – and his first in entrance of a crowd – when he made it 3-1 in Liverpool’s comfy win over Yokohama F. Marinos.
It capped one other spectacular exhibiting from the 16-year-old, who changed Cody Gakpo for the ultimate 27 minutes in Japan’s Nissan Stadium.
There was appreciable hype round Ngumoha’s performances up to now in pre-season and it’s simple to see why, although whereas Slot is a giant admirer of his No. 73 he is aware of there’s nonetheless work to be accomplished.
“Rio, once more, confirmed the standard he has and that’s good for us,” he instructed reporters in his post-match press convention.
“We now have a variety of superb gamers, however to get some superb gamers by way of the academy is all the time useful, all the time offers power to a crew as nicely.
“It’s all the time good to see younger gamers from 16, 17 or 18 years outdated already impacting a recreation.
“However there was additionally a second within the recreation the place he ought to have squared it to Macca or Curtis, so additionally studying factors for him.
“However if you’re 16 and you’ll influence the sport like he did, that’s positively price a praise.”
Ngumoha is probably going to stick with Liverpool’s first crew for the rest of pre-season and the Group Defend conflict with Crystal Palace at Wembley subsequent month.
He will not be the one teenager concerned both, with Slot eager to focus on the efficiency of fellow goalscorer Trey Nyoni, 18, as quite a few his substitutes made an influence.
“He wasn’t the one one who impacted the sport from the bench, as a result of Trey Nyoni – additionally a teenager – scored, assisted by Jeremie Frimpong,” the top coach defined.
“Within the first purpose I believe Curtis Jones performed a giant half by profitable the ball within the midfield.”
Whereas pre-season is commonly a chance for kids to select up minutes earlier than rejoining the academy sides or heading out on mortgage, there’s a sense that this summer season is totally different.
Ngumoha and Nyoni are nonetheless anticipated to prove for Liverpool’s U21s in 2025/26, in addition to the U19s within the UEFA Youth League, however the youngsters is also given extra first-team publicity.
It will be remiss to get carried away with their performances in a handful of friendlies – however there’s little denying the impression they’re making.
