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Rio Ngumoha is starting to make his mark at Liverpool after a starring role in the UEFA Youth League win over Bologna on Wednesday

Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Youth League match against Bologna U19s at the AXA Training Centre on October 2 2024(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Jumping ship from Chelsea to Liverpool will always put a player into the good books of the Anfield faithful. But after a protracted transfer was finally concluded last month, only now are Reds supporters beginning to discover why there has been such a fuss over Rio Ngumoha.

The 16-year-old winger, whose switch to the Academy at Kirkby prompted intrigue during the summer, followed his full debut for the under-18s in the 3-2 home defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday with another start for the U19s side in their UEFA Youth League 2-1 win against Bologna at Kirkby on Wednesday afternoon.

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Ngumoha made an immediate impact playing on the left flank, particularly when cutting in on to his right foot. From one such opening he struck the crossbar with a shot from range, while his ability to instead go wide and deliver a cross, allied to his quick feet and dribbling ability, made him difficult for Bologna's defenders to deal with.

And Barry Lewtas, the Liverpool U21s coach who is taking charge of the UEFA Youth League side this season, has a clear message regarding the teenager.

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"He's going to be what you've seen here," he says. "We're not looking to change anything. We're looking to add to his game. He's a one-vs-one dribbler so hopefully what comes with that is someone who can score goals and assist, create, and certainly get the team up the pitch. I thought he did that for us well.

"I don't see his identity changing at any point. It is just about the journey and making sure he improves bit by bit, whether that is his crossing or his finishing.

"I don't think he will be totally different in four years' time. We just all hope that - as we do with all of them - that we're not sitting at Kirkby watching them but we're sitting at Anfield.

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"I don't see him changing much but he is a lovely boy and I genuinely mean that - well brought up. He has settled in really well with the lads, he communicates well with the staff, and he is a lovely kid."

Up against opponents often two years older than him, Ngumoha more than held his own physically against Bologna until the lack of recent action and intensity of playing at a higher level began to tell.

"We just need to be patient and I'm sure we'll get there (with him)," adds Lewtas. "But it is tough. He is giving away a lot of size and a lot of age. It's a shame he couldn't get a goal really because I thought at that point, we did have them in moments. If we'd scored earlier on, it could have been different.

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"We managed to set up on that left side quite well which did him the opportunity one-v-one. He hit the crossbar and we had a number of chances in those particular moments, cutting inside. He combined well and in the first half it was a real good game for him.

"In the second, he's not played a lot and he is very young. The reality is when you're playing in games of this size at his age, it is a lot for him as well. Just as the game went on, he dug in."