James Pearce confirms Liverpool have signed a SPECIAL talent | OneFootball

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© IMAGO - Richard Hughes Liverpool 2024-25

Liverpool's best signing flies under the radar

In short, Liverpool's first-team squad is looking a LOT better than it did last season. And that squad was good enough to win the Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season in charge.

But it's another, lesser-heralded deal that is making the biggest impact during this preseason campaign.

Hughes and Liverpool owners FSG were criticised in some quarters last summer for a relative lack of transfer action. Having missed out on Martin Zubimendi, Liverpool opted to stay out of the race for an alternative.

In fact the only first-team player added in last summer's window was Federico Chiesa - now considered a busted flush.

Liverpool complete deal for special Ngumoha

But Liverpool were playing the long game with one signing in particular.

Rio Ngumoha was only 15 years old when he swapped Chelsea's youth ranks for Liverpool. It was a hugely controversial deal - with the Londoners losing perhaps the best English attacker in his age group.

The Reds couldn't keep Ngumoha under wraps for long however - and he has quickly moved through the categories.

© IMAGO - Rio Ngumoha Liverpool 2024-25

Ngumoha's sensational rise

Having initially played for the club's under-18s, Ngumoha moved up to Premier League 2 level as well as playing UEFA Youth League.

Such is the excitement around the youngster that he has ALREADY made his senior first-team debut.

Ngumoha played against Accrington in the FA Cup in January - and has been in and around the senior squad in the months since.

The winger is now with Arne Slot's squad for their preseason campaign - starring in Hong Kong against AC Milan and against Yokohama F Marinos on Wednesday morning.

Described as a "special talent" by Liverpool insider James Pearce, Ngumoha took the game to the Japanese side after his introduction as a substitute.

He scored a remarkable solo goal in the 3-1 victory - with Pearce stating that the England U17 star had lit up the arena.

© IMAGO - Rio Ngumoha Liverpool