Liverpool training footage highlights potential Rio Ngumoha problem Andoni Iraola needs to work on

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Some Liverpool players have now returned to the AXA Training Centre for the start of the 2026 pre-season.

The Reds will kick off their match preparations next week with a meeting against Sunderland as part of their US tour.

Now, Liverpool have shared some training footage from the players’ first day back on the grass, and young, pacey winger Rio Ngumoha looked surprisingly sluggish in one drill.

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Rio Ngumoha appeared to be lacking sharpness in Liverpool training

Towards the end of the video, which was posted via their YouTube channel, coaches can be seen making players complete timed runs, which they were counting out loud.

In the footage, you can hear Jeremie Frimpong and Kostas Tsimikas completing their drills in 37 and 38 seconds each.

Federico Chiesa finished the same run in 42 seconds, while Ngumoha, who is well-known for his pace, took 48 seconds.

Still only 17, you would have thought that the former Chelsea youngster would still be among the fitter players in the squad.

However, when compared to players who are of a similar speed to him normally, he was significantly behind.

After travelling with the senior England team for some friendlies in the USA, Ngumoha has had the rest of the summer off, and it appears he has lost some sharpness in that time.

It’s not a long-term problem, of course, but after working so hard to break into the first team last season under Arne Slot, the winger needs to get back up to full fitness as soon as possible.

Andoni Iraola will no doubt be especially keen for that to happen, given he is expected to be short of left-wing options over the coming weeks after Cody Gakpo was given time off after competing at the World Cup and Victor Munoz is still in America with Spain.

Liverpool’s full 2026 pre-season schedule

Ngumoha will have five games to improve in pre-season, starting next week versus fellow Premier League outfit Sunderland.

• Liverpool vs Sunderland (July 25, 23:00 BST)
• Liverpool vs Wrexham (July 30, 00:30 BST)
• Liverpool vs Leeds United (August 2, 21:00 BST)
• Liverpool vs AS Monaco (August 9, 14:30 BST)
• Liverpool vs Como (August 16, 18:00 BST)

The Reds then kick off their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United on August 23 at St James’ Park.