How far can Rio Ngumoha go?

16-year-old Rio Ngumoha saved Liverpool's bacon in the Premier League 2. Analysing what makes our academy sensation so special.

This boy is and will be a top top player. Not my words, nor those of anybody connected to Liverpool Football Club, but Chelsea legend and Academy Consultant John Terry’s.

It required just fifteen minutes for that credence to span over to the Merseyside academy scene—as if they weren’t dreamy believers in the capital’s latest export anyway. An abundance of trickery, take-ons and cute, incisive flicked passes in his maiden LFC cameo, a home U18 Premier League fixture versus Blackburn Rovers in September, firmly set the tone; Liverpool have landed a gem, a highly entertaining performer at that. ‘Hit him’ and ‘double up’ the early desperate cries from the young Blackburn full backs as the scintillating newly-turned 16 y/o weaved through and dodged any tint of blue and white kit. Those shouts wouldn’t evaporate, instead they have became commonplace at both U18 and U21 level.

The then-15-year-old Rio Ngumoha was hardly concealed when LFC scouts, under direction from Academy Director Alex Inglethorpe, travelled down to Wolverhampton for a Chelsea U17 Premier League Cup fixture. Chelsea’s boy had flagged on the radars of Europe’s elite as one of the standout forwards at his age level, just as Harvey Elliott had thrashed his way onto the Kirkby-housed laptops as a footballer at a level well beyond his youth. “A performance that was expected as he lived up to the hype,” the verdict of one.” ‘Purposeful’ running from central and left areas - the root of praise on another scout report.

I’m not sure what the opposite of a backhanded compliment is. A forehanded compliment? Backhanded insult? Whatever it is, the slight lingerings of doubt towards Rio’s suitability to Liverpool resemble exactly that. The Athletic exclusively revealed LFC’s original fears over Ngumoha perhaps being too ‘flashy’ in his work, perhaps leaning into showboating too much, though ‘everyone’ in the conversations were entirely on board with his talent and promise. ‘He can try to do everything by himself’ soon became ‘he can do everything by himself.’ Ngumoha has most certainly evidenced that, at academy level. That’s why he’s being double, triple-teamed at just 16 in the Premier League 2 (U21).

In his debut campaign 200 miles or so from home, the whizkid has shown far more than mere ‘flashes’ of quality anyhow. Dazzling, dynamite, electric, tricky, entertaining - all of the superlatives, all of the adjectives and zero hyperbole. He flickers into life, and then proceeds to run the game in his unique, distinctive manner. When that flicker came against Real Madrid (coached by Alvaro Arbeloa) in the UEFA Youth League, as the case study, it never left; Ngumoha’s spark ignited Liverpool throughout. The former Chelsea boy was unfortunate not to have grabbed three assists with Trent Kone-Doherty and co not wearing their shooting boots that afternoon.

Around a month or so ago, this newsletter featured a long read on the dynamic shift in Liverpool’s youth transfers entitled ‘Liverpool’s London recruitment is bearing fruitful’. The biggest success story, the most fruitful apple on the tree, of the increased coverage in that area (at all levels of football) to-date is certainly last summer’s acquisition of Rio Ngumoha as part of the 2024 scholarship intake. Rio isn’t the first and won’t be the last pickup from England’s capital: fellow first-year Joshua Sonni-Lambie (17) arrived from U14 grassroots football in Islington, winger Tyler Martin had an almost identical journey to the North West, with 16-year-old midfielder Scofield Lonmeni also being headhunted in his early teens from the area.

All good things come to those who wait, they say. Transfers between two ‘Category 1’ academies (criteria which Liverpool and Chelsea meet) require a five-step confirmation process which is regulated by the Premier League. Despite EPL rules restricting formal bans on rival club scouts, Liverpool have insisted that, such was the level of animosity from the Blues over the Rio raid, their requests for scouting presence at the Cobham Training Centre this season have been denied. Those in the LFC academy setup got their ‘middle finger’ moment towards their Chelsea counterparts back in February as the 5′ 7″ forward netted in the 86th minute, as Liverpool came from two goals down to eliminate them from the U18 Premier League Cup.

Liverpool have attempted to put a lid on the newly-acquired star, that much we know. The sensible approach given the great hype. Overexposure, at such a young age, generally doesn’t bode well for development. “He needs to find some rhythm,” Lewtas said. “There’s no rush with him. He’s only just turned 16. Let him settle and find his way and let’s see where it goes.” In spite of the cautious methods, Ngumoha would still ultimately become Liverpool’s youngest ever debutant in the UEFA Youth League in mid-September, surpassing Trent’s record by nine days. When he made his whirlwind entrance at senior level, in a 4-0 FA Cup thrashing of Accrington, only Jerome Sinclair had previously debuted for the first team at a more junior age.

Last Friday night, Ngumoha was firmly in the limelight again with Liverpool’s U21 side facing a do-or-die situation in their final fixture of the ‘regular’ PL2 season phase. Heading into the away clash with Aston Villa on the twentieth and final matchday, the young Reds required a result to guarantee progression into the playoffs (top 16 in the 26-team league qualify). They had the 16 y/o prodigy to thank for his crucial brace — his first two goals at U21 level — which clawed a desperate Liverpool into the 16th seed with the 2-2 draw on the road. An almighty task awaits tomorrow night as Lewtas’ Liverpool travel to Manchester to face league-leaders City in the Round of 16.

End product, if anything, is the stick that many use to beat the teenager with. Even at 16, some (crazily) perceive output as the be-all and end-all so therefore use his minimal goal count of three against him. Ngumoha has composed finishes like this in his locker, the interested scouts at Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal etc. were all fully aware. Extremely comfortable with both feet and can create that yard of separation with ease to beat a man either way.

“And it’s him again.” Calm as you like with the guided right-footed finish. Of course, much of Rio’s magical tricks are produced on the touchline however the England youth international is also exceptionally comfortable in those left half spaces. Very much a cool customer - a placement over power type in his shooting. Also, grant some credit to American centre-forward (U20) Keyrol Figueroa for his bullish off-ball work and assist here. The son of former Premier League full back Maynor boasts some pretty unparalleled physical attributes at academy level.

Real Madrid at home serves as my favourite Ngumoha display to-date hence the amount of bookmarked clips I’ve got. Anybody who tuned into the live broadcast on TNT Sports, hours before the first team’s 2-0 home Champions League victory, was served a treat; LFC’s (academy) no.11 dazzled. Incredible pass from Rio here. In a static position with 5 Real Madrid players occupying his space, many wouldn’t have the ability to progress from this position. A sensationally-weighted trivela behind the opposition line. He’s got that very high on-ball bravery possessed by those at the top.

The TNT commentator beginning to celebrate tells a story, here. Trent Kone-Doherty has bagged his fair share of crucial Youth League goals since arriving at LFC but the Irishman was left to rue three golden opportunities that day. More than anything, this highlights the multi-faceted nature of Rio’s game - he doesn’t always receive the plaudits for his non-dribbling attributes. Right back Fortea shows him on to his left foot and the young man was still able to cause devastation. He faces up against Fortea and utilises his body orientation to create separation for a weak-foot cross. Rio delivers a pinpoint cross to Kone-Doherty who again, cannot finish his big chance.

I feel as though, through the various more general academy deep dives I’ve conducted, Ngumoha’s ball-manipulation and movement of his body have been lauded as particularly exceptional. It makes him stand out above the rest every time you watch the 16-year-old and is strikingly noticeable live. Here, he initially positions his body to go down the channel but bursts inside, completely confusing the defender. Ever-so-nimble on the turn, Rio pivots on his back foot to enable him to turn with more pace and fire himself back down the channel. Facing the final Los Blancos defender in a passive position, he bursts inside before the ultimate tame finish. That’ll come!

Rio’s intensity in every attacking action is something to behold. Refreshing, given the lack of directness we often see with modern wingers. With impressive speed and precision, he charges toward the retreating defender, fully aware that the right-back's body positioning makes them vulnerable to any sudden movement. Exploiting this advantage, he swiftly shifts wide onto his left foot and delivers a dangerous (albeit unsuccessful) cross into the area. Encouraging to see confidence in the use of his weaker foot despite that left requiring some attention.

Talk about a head-on way to face a double team. This time for the England U17s - whom he netted two goals for in a 5-0 demolition of Northern Ireland in the March international break. It’s no secret that Ngumoha adores take-ons and is extremely vertical, but that electric pace and acceleration over the first few meters, essentially his explosiveness, is certainly second-to-none in regards to recent Liverpool academy talent. He gets past players with extreme ease thanks to this quick footwork, tight control, ability to change direction rapidly and the use of his most dangerous weapon: the body feint.

Better get used to these scenarios, Rio. Triple-teamed upon receiving the ball in this home PL2 fixture against Nottingham Forest. At this level, such scenarios only unfold when teams recognise your unbelievable ability in one-on-one situations. Truthfully, he does need to find a way to adapt and rise above it, as there are occasions where he will become nullified and his head drops. Sometimes after being dispossessed as a result of ultra-intense pressure on him, Ngumoha can become slightly irritable and have altered body language e.g. standing still and not reacting to second-opportunities.

The main gripe held by many is the tendency to be slightly chaotic and overambitious with his dribbling in the final third, and, naturally given his youthful age, the consistency of his decision-making on the ball requires some fine tuning. More football and more coaching will do the trick; we are ultimately still four months away from the first-year scholar’s 17th birthday. ‘Release the ball’ shouts from teammates and coaches are common but are they merited? Should such a gifted maverick be discouraged from expressing himself in matches which, when push comes to shove, are meaningless results-wise?

“He is a great kid, his attitude has been fantastic. He is obviously a talented boy and we are really fortunate to have him in and around the group on these matchdays.“

(Marc Bridge-Wilkinson – Liverpool U18 coach)

So, what do I expect moving forward? Certainly more than 72 senior minutes next season though a cautious and reasonable approach must be taken from all involved - potentially some early round Carabao/FA Cup starts? Already, Ngumoha has found himself greatly influencing U21 matters more than (the originally planned) eighteens scene; Rio has clocked 194 more Premier League 2 minutes than in the U18 Premier League. When he turns 17 next August, Ngumoha is expected to pen his first professional contract. Liverpool currently limit first year scholars to a basic salary of around £14,400 a year though they can earn more through bonuses. Liverpool can continue to attempt to put a lid on his hype but it’s very much a difficult job to put a lid on Ngumoha’s ceiling.