Liverpool opened their 2025-26 Premier League season in style with a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on Friday night.
Rising talent Rio Ngumoha made the bench but didn’t feature in Arne Slot’s competitive debut as head coach.
Ngumoha, a product of Chelsea’s academy, impressed during pre-season with two goals and two assists, quickly making a name for himself among the coaching staff.
His performances have already drawn major attention, with Wayne Rooney predicting him as Liverpool’s breakthrough star while backing the Reds to win the league and Mohamed Salah to reclaim the Golden Boot after last season’s prolific form.
Rooney also highlighted Jeremie Frimpong as Liverpool’s key summer signing. The Dutch right-back, recruited from Bayer Leverkusen, netted on his debut against Crystal Palace and is set to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold following his high-profile switch to Real Madrid.
With Luis Díaz joining Bayern Munich, the left-wing spot is up for grabs. Cody Gakpo looks likely to fill the role initially, with Hugo Ekitike also an option.
Ekitike’s debut goal and assist against Bournemouth showcased his quality, and with Darwin Núñez gone and no new striker yet secured, he may play centrally.
Liverpool have shown strong interest in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, though the £150m price tag could halt a move. If that deal falls through, Ngumoha could see more first-team action this season, despite turning just 17 later this month.
Slot praised the youngster’s progress but urged caution:
“A player like Rio has already proven he can make an impact. Training alongside players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah every day is a huge advantage for his development,” the manager noted.
Still, Slot emphasized the importance of patience:
“For 16 or 17-year-olds, it’s already a huge challenge to play consistently at this level. Even players in their early twenties find the Premier League’s demands intense.”
With Díaz gone and Liverpool’s attack still taking shape, Ngumoha’s opportunity may arrive sooner than expected. His talent is unquestionable — the real question is how quickly he will seize the spotlight.
