Supporters and pundits alike are clamouring for Liverpool’s rising star, Rio Ngumoha, to see more time on the pitch as he showed moments of brilliance in just over 15 minutes of action in a 1-0 win vs. Forest on February 22nd.
The 17-year-old took on defenders and was in the middle of the action for Alexis Mac Allister’s dramatic 97th-minute game-winner at the City grounds. Arne Slot and Liverpool’s brass are cautious with the youngster, however, as he is playing heavy minutes for the Reds U-21 side as well as seeing key minutes for the Senior Squad.
So just what are the plans for Ngumoha for the rest of the season and in the future? A look at the club’s mentality and how they have handled dual plays in the past can provide some clues.
An Overarching Philosophy
Liverpool’s formula for success has always centred around young players like Ngumoha. Sporting Director Richard Hughes admitted as much during a round table discussion earlier this year.
“The ages of the players we have recruited is very deliberate to make sure we are not only competitive now but competitive for the mid-term future,” Hughes said. “We knew that the first summer together… wasn’t going to be a particularly active one. Alongside ownership with their long-term vision, they like to do things with the metrics and the data in their favour. The best way to do that is to prepare one year ahead.”
A Look At The Past
Liverpool have always seemed to emphasize developing young players. Many of the Reds' biggest stars have split time between the U-21 and the Senior teams. The most famous is Steven Gerrard, but there is also Michael Owen and, more recently, Scousers Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold. So Ngumoha is in good company.
In fact, if you look at the chart below, you will see that Ngumoha has made a bigger impact on the club by the age of 17 than did the great Steven Gerrard. They are very different players tactically, and I don’t have any way to look into a crystal ball to see if Ngumoha will become a Liverpool great, but I would say, so far, so good.
Rio Ngumoha vs. Steven Gerrard
| Feature | Rio Ngumoha (at 17) | Steven Gerrard (at 17) |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Winger / Attacking Midfielder | Central Midfielder |
| LFC Debut | August 2025 (Age 16) | November 1998 (Age 18) |
| First Goal | vs. Newcastle (Age 16) | vs. Sheffield Wed (Age 19) |
| Body Type | Explosive, low center of gravity | Lanky, suffered from growth spurts |
| National Team | England U17 / U19 regular | Did Not Cap At Youth Level For The Young Lions |
| Standout Feature | Youngest scorer in LFC history | Highly rated but injury-prone trainee |
Slot’s Take On Ngumoha
The boss has regularly praised his young star while also explaining why he does not see more time on the pitch. Such was the case after the Nottingham Forest win.
“He has incredible potential, otherwise at 17 years of age, you don't play as many minutes as he does in the Premier League, let alone at Liverpool,” Slot said. “I don't think there's any other 17-year-old that has played so many minutes this season in the Premier League as he did. I don't think there is an 18- or 19-year-old maybe that played so many minutes as he did, but that last thing, I'm not 100 per cent sure about. So that tells you how much of a talent he is, and we think he is. He's making progress more and more, and that's why lately you see him playing more and as well.
He gets stronger. Apart from his moment where he had that one-v-one, there were also one or two other moments where he showed that he stands his ground. That is, of course, what you need because you face 25-, 26-, 27-, 28-year-old athletes mainly as your opponents. We're a bit of an exception in terms of the age of our group of players; most teams we face have players of different ages and different physicality. For him to show this already at 17 years of age says something about his talent. But as we all know, talent is only the start of a career, and you need so many other things, as we've shown today.“
LFC Globe Verdict
I think Slot and the top brass are taking the right approach by easing Ngumoha into Senior competition. I love to see his skill on the pitch, but there is no reason to rush him. He isn't even old enough to buy a pint at the pub yet.
If Liverpool had a defensive crisis as they do at the back, I would feel differently, but Liverpool are strong in the midfield and on the wings. Come next season, though, depending on the needs of the club, I say let the lad have a go with more minutes.
Although he is still young let him be given atleast15min praying time every weekend for him to be strong
Spot on, Mutaka! Even just 15-20 minute cameos at the end of these tight Premier League matches will do wonders for his development and confidence. Do you think Slot should give him a full start in the next cup match?