Teenage winger Rio Ngumoha electrified Anfield during Liverpool’s pre-season double-header against Athletic Bilbao, showcasing his potential in a 4-1 victory for the club’s second XI. The 16-year-old, who recently joined from Chelsea, netted and assisted within the first five minutes, outshining even the senior team’s star-studded lineup that featured £263.5m in summer signings.
The Reds’ unique match setup saw their reserve squad play Bilbao’s second team at 17:00 BST, followed by the first-team clash. Ngumoha, starting on the left wing, seized the opportunity, launching a 20-yard curler into the net in the second minute. Three minutes later, he nodded down a Ben Doak cross for Darwin Núñez to score, prompting fans to chant his name. Ex-Liverpool defender Gary Gillespie hailed him as “such an excellent prospect,” while manager Arne Slot acknowledged his consistent pre-season form.
Despite his impact on the youth stage, Ngumoha has yet to feature in a Premier League match. His lone first-team appearance came in January’s FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley, where he started at age 16. However, Liverpool’s shifting frontline dynamics—marked by Diogo Jota’s tragic passing, Luis Díaz’s exit to Bayern Munich, and Núñez linked to Saudi Pro League clubs—could create an opening for the teen sensation. A potential Alexander Isak signing might further reshape the squad, but Ngumoha’s recent displays in Asia (a goal and assist) and at Anfield have intensified hopes he’ll break through.
“I’m not trying to rush—I’m still young,” Ngumoha told reporters last week. “But I want to show the manager what I can do and keep pushing myself.” His rapid dribbling and technical flair against Bilbao’s reserves underscored why former Chelsea captain John Terry once predicted he’d “be a top player,” a forecast that’s increasingly looking accurate.
Meanwhile, the senior team’s 3-2 win over Bilbao saw Cody Gakpo steal headlines with two goals and an own goal. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring but missed a late penalty, while new signings Florian Wirtz (£100m midfielder) and Hugo Ekitike (lively forward) hinted at their potential. Defensive concerns lingered, though: Virgil van Dijk’s absence forced Wataro Endo into the center-back role, and two set-piece goals conceded raised alarms ahead of the Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace.
“We created chances, but conceding from set-pieces isn’t acceptable,” Slot remarked. The Dutch coach’s fluid 4-2-3-1 system showed promise but faces tactical refinements. For Ngumoha, the focus remains on maintaining momentum. If Liverpool’s forward reshuffle stalls, the teen’s blend of pace and creativity might fast-track him to Anfield’s spotlight.
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