Young Liverpool Star Opens Up On Journey To First Team | OneFootball

Rio Ngumoha Reveals Liverpool Lessons and Huge England Ambitions

Rio Ngumoha has packed an extraordinary amount into the last 18 months. Liverpool, Anfield, Premier League football and now England have arrived in quick succession for a player who remains only 18.

Asked by ITV Sport to describe that period, Ngumoha required one word.

“A whirlwind.”

There is ambition running through almost everything Ngumoha says, although there is also an awareness that his development remains a work in progress.

“I’ve learned a lot in a short like space of time,” Ngumoha said. “But definitely still a long way to go.”

Liverpool Was Always Ngumoha’s Destination

Perhaps the most revealing part of the ITV Sport interview concerned his decision to join Liverpool after leaving Chelsea.

There were alternatives. Ngumoha simply did not see them in the same way.

“Liverpool was always the right option and the only option really that if I go here, I’d get the opportunity and the pathway to to showcase what I can do and looks like so far it’s paid off.”

That pathway matters. Ngumoha recalled progressing from Liverpool training sessions to showing his ability against Accrington and then in pre season.

His Anfield appearance on 11 January 2025 carried particular significance.

“Even it was a dream obviously to play in front of an Anfield best stadium in the world but also what I’ve been working for because all the hard work it wasn’t for nothing. It was for them them occasions.”

His approach to pressure sounds remarkably uncomplicated.

“Always play with a smile first of all,” he explained. “There’s pressure. Obviously, there’s pressure in every game, but take that pressure with like a a pinch of salt really and just like embrace it.”

Salah Advice Still Driving Liverpool Youngster

Ngumoha grew up admiring Neymar, yet the player who appears to have influenced his development most directly is Mohamed Salah.

Photo: @LFC on X

“I don’t think I really play like anyone, but I think watching when I was growing up was Neymar. He was my favourite.”

His education at Liverpool provided something different.

“The player that I probably learned the most from is Mo Salah when he was at Liverpool. He taught me a lot especially towards the back end when he knew he was leaving.”

Salah’s message centred on productivity.

“He was always telling me like Rio you know you’re a good player but to reach the top you have to add the goals and assist and it will come naturally.”

Raheem Sterling also offered advice during Ngumoha’s time at Chelsea, telling him to “always stay alive” because one opportunity could change an entire game.

Those are useful lessons for a young attacker trying to establish himself at Liverpool, particularly when Ngumoha openly accepts that talent alone is insufficient.

“I think all comes down to being mentally tough and strong really,” he said.

World Cup and Ballon d’Or Dreams

Ngumoha makes an important distinction between confidence and arrogance.

“I think there’s definitely a line between arrogance and belief.”

His immediate target is straightforward.

“Definitely try to get my first England goal cuz that’s the next that’s the next aim.”

Beyond that, there is little point asking Ngumoha to think small.

Asked where he sees himself in 10 years, the Liverpool youngster replied: “see myself winning winning Champions Leagues, hopefully winning the World Cup, winning Prems, and winning the ballon d’or one day.”

Asked whether his ambitions really were that high, Ngumoha did not hesitate.

“Yeah, 100%.”

For a player who describes his last 18 months as a whirlwind, the destination he has in mind is already remarkably clear.