Liverpool fans have been excited to see some of the club’s best young players in action during pre-season so far.
The summer friendlies are always a good time for youth players to make their mark in the first team and this year looks like being no different.
After Liverpool played their first fixture of the summer against Preston North End on Sunday, Rio Ngumoha was the name on everyone’s lips.
Ngumoha was brilliant against Preston, causing trouble for the Championship side whenever he was on the ball.
Big things are expected of the former Chelsea wonderkid, and Ngumoha is expected to sign a new contract with Liverpool to reflect that very soon.
In the meantime, the 16-year-old has been underlining his talent once again by showing off some skills in a Sports Direct TikTok video.
Rio Ngumoha steals the show
As ever with young players, caution should be exercised at Liverpool before they proclaim Ngumoha to be the next big thing. However, it is clear that the Londoner has something special.
He evidenced this again alongside some much bigger names during a video for Sports Direct.
During the clip, a ball is thrown towards players, who are then tasked with juggling it, showing off some skills and giving it back.
Liverpool’s very own Ryan Gravenberch is first up, with Curtis Jones and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva also featuring in the clip. But it is Ngumoha who steals the show.
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The teenager first controls the ball by lifting right leg over it and flicking it up with his left foot.
He then performs two consecutive ‘around the worlds’, sending the ball one way and then the other, before calmly volleying it back.
Ngumoha set for further chances
As Liverpool begin to allow cameras back into the training ground, it is nice to see that Ngumoha has been making his mark in practice sessions as well.
After seeing the youngster sparkle, Liverpool fans predicted Ngumoha could replace Luis Diaz in the squad if he is eventually sold this summer.
With the Reds still having a few more days’ training before jetting off for the Far East on Sunday, Ngumoha has plenty of time to engrave himself in Arne Slot‘s thoughts.
It remains to be seen what will happen with Diaz, and indeed other players ahead of Ngumoha such as Federico Chiesa. But, either way, it seems certain that the former Chelsea starlet will get further chances to impress between now and the start of the season.
If he can do enough with those opportunities, more will come his way once the real stuff starts in August.
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