Latest news with #RioNgumoha
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano Confirms Liverpool Star is Set to Sign New Contract
Liverpool Planning New Contract for Rising Star Rio Ngumoha Liverpool continue their proactive approach to squad development, as Fabrizio Romano reports that 16-year-old talent Rio Ngumoha is set to be offered a new contract. With several first-team players recently securing long-term extensions, the club's focus on future stars signals their intent to maintain dominance under Arne Slot. Ngumoha's Breakthrough Season Ngumoha arrived from Chelsea last summer as a highly-rated teenager, and Liverpool have wasted no time integrating him into their plans. Over the past season, he trained multiple times with the first team and was included in matchday squads, most notably as an unused substitute in the League Cup quarter-final win over Southampton and during the shock defeat to Plymouth Argyle. His senior debut came in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley, where he started at Anfield and played 72 minutes, demonstrating maturity beyond his years. He also featured across Liverpool's Under-21s, Under-18s and Under-19s, underlining his versatility and potential. In pre-season, he impressed further with a 45-minute display in the win over Preston North End. According to Romano, 'the club is said to be extremely happy for him, and they think he has a huge future.' This insight reflects the high regard in which Ngumoha is held within the club's hierarchy. Securing the Future Amid Transfer Interest While contract talks continue with Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz, Liverpool's decision to move early on Ngumoha's new deal shows sharp awareness of the market. With Real Madrid circling Konate and Bayern Munich and Barcelona interested in Diaz, tying down young talent becomes even more crucial. Ngumoha's rise comes in a summer where Liverpool have seen notable exits. Caoimhin Kelleher left for Brentford after a decade at Anfield, Vitezslav Jaros secured a loan to Ajax, and defenders Jarell Quansah and Nat Phillips moved to Bayer Leverkusen and West Bromwich Albion respectively. Despite these changes, the Premier League champions have avoided an overhaul, focusing instead on targeted improvements and extensions. Slot's Trust in Youth Arne Slot's first season brought not only the league title but also a renewed belief in Liverpool's academy products. The Dutch manager has shown he is unafraid to give young players a platform, and Ngumoha's inclusion in key fixtures suggests the teenager is firmly in his plans. With Liverpool committing to a mix of experience and youth, fans can look forward to watching talents like Ngumoha develop alongside stalwarts such as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who have both extended their contracts until 2027. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis For Liverpool fans, this is the kind of update that gets the heart racing. Rio Ngumoha has been the buzz of the academy since his arrival, and the fact the club are ready to reward him with a new deal shows they are not just paying lip service to youth development. Arne Slot has already proven he trusts young players, and Ngumoha's senior debut last season gave supporters a glimpse of his sharp footwork, vision and confidence on the ball. Seeing him included in the pre-season win over Preston North End suggests he could be more involved with the first team sooner than many expected. What excites the fanbase most is the thought of Ngumoha learning from Salah and Diaz. Imagine him soaking up knowledge from world-class forwards while getting minutes under one of Europe's most exciting managers. Liverpool's commitment to tying down both senior and young stars speaks of a club that is planning not just for next season, but for the next decade. As champions of England, the bar has been raised. Seeing a future superstar like Ngumoha nurtured at Anfield, rather than shipped out or lost in the system, makes fans believe this new era under Slot will be just as thrilling as the one before.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool hit five past Stoke in training ground friendly win
Liverpool Hit Five Against Stoke in Behind-Closed-Doors Pre-Season Win Pre-season rolls on with dominant display Liverpool turned up the intensity at the AXA Training Centre on Sunday, easing to a 5-0 win over Stoke in a behind-closed-doors friendly. After a week where the club was united in mourning, this was a much-needed session of football for the squad, who now prepare to head east for their pre-season tour of Asia. It comes just a week after the emotionally charged 3-1 win over Preston, played in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva following their tragic deaths in a car accident. While that fixture was a tribute, this latest outing against Championship opposition carried more of a competitive edge. Nunez makes his mark with hat-trick Darwin Nunez was the standout performer, registering a first-half hat-trick that oozed confidence and instinct. His first came from a poacher's position, rifling home after Dominik Szoboszlai lost the ball in the box. The second was a well-timed run and composed finish after a clever through ball from Szoboszlai, and he completed the treble by tapping in from Curtis Jones' cross. Photo IMAGO It was a sharp reminder of the firepower Liverpool possess when Nunez is on the front foot. Rio Ngumoha, the much-hyped youngster, continued his impressive rise with a deflected effort to make it four before the interval. Federico Chiesa then capped off the scoring in the second half with the fifth, adding a touch of composure to a match that already felt decided by the break. Photo: IMAGO Wirtz features as senior stars return Virgil van Dijk featured for valuable minutes, easing back into rhythm ahead of the Asia tour. Florian Wirtz, Liverpool's marquee summer signing, made his first outing in a red shirt, playing the opening 45 minutes in what was his unofficial debut. Absent from the fixture were Luis Diaz, Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister. Their exclusion is understood to be precautionary, and all three are expected to be part of Arne Slot's travelling squad to Asia. Asia schedule set ahead of season opener Liverpool's next test comes against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday. After that, it is a trip to Japan where they will meet Yokohama FM. The final fixture before competitive action resumes is a double-header with Athletic Club on Monday, 2 August. The curtain will rise on the new campaign with the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace at Wembley, before Bournemouth arrive at Anfield to kick off Liverpool's Premier League title defence.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
David Lynch's 5 Key Takeaways from Liverpool's 3-1 Win Over Preston
Lynch's 5 Takeaways from Liverpool 3-1 Preston: Ngumoha, Slot and More Liverpool began their pre-season with a composed and promising 3-1 win against Preston North End at Deepdale, and David Lynch, in his post-match podcast, offered a detailed, grounded analysis that sheds light on what fans can take from this early fixture under manager Arne Slot. Ngumoha's Talent Clear to See Lynch did not hesitate in identifying Rio Ngumoha as the standout performer. 'He's just an incredible talent,' he stated. 'I thought everything he did today oozed class… brilliant on the ball, quick, strong, direct.' Lynch praised not only Ngumoha's technical ability but also his confidence at such a young age: 'He didn't look like a kid playing with men.' The excitement around Ngumoha's development will surely grow if he continues in this vein. Advertisement Full-backs Show Slot's Tactical Identity Liverpool's full-backs played a crucial role in the match, and Lynch highlighted their involvement as a sign of tactical change. 'You could see the full-backs coming in narrow and looking to overload midfield,' he explained. Lynch pointed out that such positional play 'gives you control in midfield and stops counters.' This early sign of system implementation is an encouraging takeaway for supporters eager to see how Slot evolves Liverpool into the next season. Depth in Goalkeeping Still Strong Despite changes in the goalkeeping department, including the departures of Caoimhin Kelleher and Vítězslav Jaroš (on loan), Lynch reassured fans about the quality available. 'He's not a kind of a no-mark of a goalkeeper,' he said about one of the deputies. 'He was playing at a very high level as first choice up until last season.' Lynch emphasised that the second and third options remain 'very, very good despite the changes.' Advertisement This point of stability could prove vital over a long season with multiple competitions. Trey Nyoni Impresses with Composure Trey Nyoni earned specific praise for his maturity and control. Lynch was emphatic: 'He completes 100% of his passes, 29 out of 29… he just looks so composed on the ball.' The youngster's defensive contributions were also noted: 'Gets about a bit as well… can put his foot in, wins duels.' Lynch believes Nyoni has a 'chance for some games for him this season,' and that his impressive performance should 'be enough to get him on the tour.' These are encouraging signs for Liverpool's academy pipeline. Photo: IMAGO Advertisement Emotional Undertone Marks Start of Pre-Season While the match itself provided tactical insight and player highlights, Lynch acknowledged the emotional backdrop following the recent tragedy involving Diogo Jota. 'It's been… the tragedy that happened prior to this… is going to define the summer,' he said with evident gravity. Still, Lynch encouraged fans to appreciate 'aspects of the football that we should cling on to and really appreciate,' noting both the tributes and the joy the game can still offer. His final message summarised the sentiment well: 'A lot to like about this start to pre-season and more to come from Liverpool, I'm absolutely sure.'
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who is Rio Ngumoha? Liverpool wonderkid impresses against Preston in preseason friendly
Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha started against Preston North End and impressed during their pre-season friendly at Deepdale. The talent was named on the left wing for the Reds as they capped their first week back with an encounter against the Championship club. Advertisement Arne Slot named Ngumoha in the starting XI in a youthful Liverpool team that featured new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and a host of youngsters, including Luca Stephenson and Trey Nyoni. The Dutchman handed the England prospect his first Reds start since January when he was handed the opportunity in the FA Cup third-round win over Accrington Stanley. Ngumoha was previously included on the bench against Southampton in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup fourth-round exit against Plymouth Argyle. READ MORE: Darwin Nunez reveals new look in first Liverpool friendly after surprise change READ MORE: Why Liverpool can't wear Adidas kits for first pre-season friendly against Preston Advertisement But what more do we know about Rio Ngumoha, the Liverpool wonderkid who looked a threat against Preston on Sunday? Ngumoha is 16 years old and plays on the left wing for Liverpool's Under-18 side. He made 26 appearances to his name this season since moving to Merseyside, including six in the UEFA Youth League and nine for Barry Lewtas' under-21s. The winger has already proved to be a handful for defenders and his trickery makes his performances particularly eye-catching. There has been plenty of hype around Ngumoha's potential ever since he left Chelsea to sign for the Reds and they will look to tie down his services for an extended period when he turns 17 next month. Advertisement The ECHO reported this week that he will sign his first professional contract with Liverpool following his 17th birthday next month. A new deal has been in the pipeline for Ngumoha and his arrival on Merseyside sent shockwaves throughout academy football in the country. Chelsea were privately furious at losing the starlet, who was considered one of the brightest talents in their academy. Initially, the teenager joined the club on scholarship terms last summer, due to restrictions on youth signings. And at the end of August, he will officially become a professional footballer with two senior outings already to his name, a couple of unused substitute appearances and a host of showings for the Reds youth ranks. Advertisement Despite being at a tender age, the 16-year-old has already outlined his ambition to become the best player in the world. "I truly believe I can win the Ballon d'Or one day," said Ngumoha, speaking to Lovell Soccer's Inside The Academy in October. "I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game."
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano confirms wonderkid to agree Liverpool deal
Liverpool are a club littered with talented players and tying them down is essential. Allowing the possibility that a rival club could swoop in and snatch them away is something the Reds have tried their hardest not to do. Everyone knows their situation at the club to avoid any confusion. Advertisement Issues with Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz are being resolved behind the scenes right now, and this will either involve selling them or getting them to commit to new long-term contract terms. But even if they go, there are wonderkids that are desperate for their chance to make a difference in the first-team set-up and their commitment to the club cannot be disregarded. Ngumoha will receive his first professional contract It was earlier reported by David Lynch that his sources were alerting him to the likelihood that Rio Ngumoha will agree to a new deal, with talks being accelerated at the club to secure his future. Advertisement However, we have now received further confirmation from Fabrizio Romano regarding the story. On his X page, he said: "Liverpool are planning to advance talks with talented winger Rio Ngumoha. Discussions ongoing for 2008 born talent to sign new long-term contract." Still just 16 years old, the Englishman remains one of the standout up and coming talents in football. He plays predominantly on the left-wing and since joining from Chelsea last summer, he's made three goal contributions in the U21 team and alongside making his first-team debut in the FA Cup. But what has been most impressive about him has been his fluent dribbling, making sure to keep rival full-backs on their toes. Diaz was a similar character when he first moved to Merseyside. Advertisement The pair have a freedom about them, a raw untouched ability to make a difference on the pitch. Despite his age, it would not be surprising if Ngumoha's involvement in the team was to increase next season, although the upcoming preseason games against Preston and in Japan will be crucial. We might see a potential loan move to give him the consistent minutes at a higher lever that he needs to be able to fully challenge himself and develop, but that assessment will be made in due course.
