Forward makes SURPRISE Liverpool return | OneFootball

Liverpool opted to make £450m worth of new signings in last summer’s transfer window.

Among the new arrivals were Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz - who both came in on British record deals. Hugo Ekitike - as well as Jeremie Frimpong - have also augmented the Premier League champions’ frontline options.

But one area sporting director Richard Hughes decided was NOT worth a new face is left wing.

Ngumoha left out in the cold

Despite losing Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for around £65m, the only adjustments that Liverpool’s hierarchy made were new contracts for both Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha.

The Anfield club did not sign a new senior option at left wing in order to keep Ngumoha’s path to the first team as unimpeded as possible.

But it’s not worked out in the perfect manner for the 17-year-old. He has played only five times in the Premier League - all as a substitute - despite some promising cameos early in the campaign.

Ngumoha's first game in almost a month

The England youth scored against Newcastle and influenced the game against Burnley but Arne Slot has offered him barely 40 top-flight minutes.

Instead he’s been left sitting on the bench - without any game time for the first team. What makes it all the more frustrating is Ngumoha is STILL eligible for various Liverpool age groups.

His development is at risk considering up until this week he had been almost a MONTH without setting foot on a pitch. But all that changed on Wednesday with Ngumoha’s first Liverpool under-21 appearance of the season.

© IMAGO - Rio Ngumoha Liverpool