Journalist Heaps Praise on ‘Truly Special’ Liverpool Star | OneFootball

Rising Star Ngumoha Making His Case for Liverpool’s Season

In pre-season there are always players who catch the eye, but few have shone as brightly as Rio Ngumoha. Speaking to Dave Davis for Anfield Index, David Lynch shared his thoughts on the 16-year-old forward, and the verdict could not be clearer. “He just keeps doing things that make it impossible to keep playing him down,” Lynch said.

Ngumoha has been a revelation in Liverpool’s summer games. He found the net in the 3-1 win over Yokohama FM and scored again just two minutes into the clash with Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Those who have watched him closely can see why excitement is building around the youngster.

Early Brilliance That Demands Attention

Lynch’s assessment placed Ngumoha firmly among the most promising talents to emerge from the academy in years. “We’re looking at a truly special young player and I think can genuinely have an impact on this season and that’s the feeling amongst the coaching staff,” he said.

Photo: IMAGO

This is not simply about raw skill. Ngumoha has been training with the first team for the past year, learning the demands of elite football and proving he belongs at that level. Lynch even went so far as to say, “I think you’ve got to put him in that Raheem Sterling bracket, rather than just another talented young player.”

Why Liverpool Should Trust His Talent

For a club known for nurturing young players, the challenge is often balancing development with first-team demands. Lynch acknowledged the need to protect him, noting, “Of course you want to protect a 16-year-old but if they are like a Raheem Sterling or a Michael Owen, then you can’t block his pathway too much.”

There is a strong case for Ngumoha to feature regularly in domestic cups, with Lynch adding, “That is going to add up to way more than just Federico Chiesa’s minutes next season. I think the domestic cups will be for him and I’d be amazed if he didn’t get some appearances in the Premier League and the Champions League.”

A Season of Opportunity Ahead

The message from Lynch is clear: if a player proves ready at such a young age, Liverpool should not hesitate to give him the stage. “We can hold ourselves back but if you find a prodigy who comes through at the age of 16 and shows that they are ready for first-team football… they know how good he is.”

Ngumoha’s blend of confidence, technical skill and composure marks him out as a rare talent. With his fearless approach in front of goal and ability to impact big matches, the coming months could define not only his season, but the trajectory of his career.

Liverpool supporters have seen teenage stars take the leap before, and all signs suggest Ngumoha is on that path. If pre-season is a glimpse of the future, then the Kop may be about to witness the rise of another homegrown hero.