Anfield Watch
·20 September 2024
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Yahoo sportsAnfield Watch
·20 September 2024
Rio Ngumoha has only been at Liverpool for a few weeks but the exciting academy talent is already making waves.
The Reds caused shockwaves in English football when they managed to lure Ngumoha to the club from Chelsea earlier this summer.
The 16-year-old has had to wait to complete his move to the club, with Ngumoha needing to complete the league's five-step investigative procedure in order to be officially able to call himself a Liverpool player.
That procedure was finally completed earlier this month and since then Ngumoha has shone in Liverpool colours, even participating in first team training under Arne Slot.
Ngumoha's spell with the first team came during the international break, while most of the club's stars were away. While he caught the eye in those training sessions in front of Arne Slot he has since gone back to play for the Reds' U18 side.
He made his debut in a 2-0 defeat to Blackburn last weekend before coming on as a substitute for Liverpool in the U19 UEFA Youth League against AC Milan.
- Chelsea U21, U 21 v Colchester United U21, Premier League Cup, Group Stage, Group D, Kingsmeadow Stadium, Kingston upon Thames, UK - 22nd January 2024. Rio Ngumoha of Chelsea U21. - Chelsea U21 v Colchester United U21, Premier League Cup, Group Stage, Group D, Kingsmeadow Stadium, Kingston upon Thames, UK - 22nd January 2024. Kingston upon Thames Kingsmeadow Stadium UK Copyright: xDanxWeirx CP_Chelsea_U21_Colchester_U21_58
In both games, Ngumoha impressed with his direct one vs one ability and rapid acceleration.
He also made history in the process. By coming on against AC Milan, he became the youngest ever player to make an appearance in the UEFA Youth League for Liverpool at just 16 years and 19 days old as per Transfermarkt.
He beat Trent Alexander-Arnold's long-standing record by nine days, with the right-back making his debut in the competition for the Reds at 16 years and 28 days old back in 2014 against Real Madrid's U19 side.
The ambition for Ngumoha will be to follow in Alexander-Arnold's footsteps and emulate his path into the first team.
That is why he decided to make the switch from Stamford Bridge to Anfield and he will be determined to continue his rapid progress at the club in the coming months ahead.
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