Meet Liverpool's 16-year-old wonderkid Rio Ngumoha

Dubai: Just weeks shy of his 17th birthday, Liverpool’s latest wonderkid is already turning heads with a dazzling debut for the Premier League champions.

In a pre-season friendly at Anfield, Rio Chima Ngumoha wasted no time making his mark — netting a brilliant solo goal just two minutes into the match and assisting another within the first five minutes, as Liverpool cruised to a 4–1 victory over Athletic Club. His electrifying performance was further complemented by goals from Darwin Nunez, Ben Doak, and Harvey Elliott.

Ngumoha’s display of blistering pace, technical flair, and fearless directness earned him a standing ovation and sparked immediate buzz about his role in Liverpool’s future. His pre-season performances have already showcased his elite dribbling and scoring instincts, firmly establishing him as one of the club’s brightest emerging talents.

Born on August 29, 2008, in the London Borough of Newham, Ngumoha is an English professional footballer of Nigerian descent. He plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for Liverpool FC and is known for his agility, creativity, and versatility on the left wing.

Ngumoha began his football journey at age eight in Chelsea’s academy, rising through the ranks and playing a key role in their U17 Premier League Cup triumph in April 2024, scoring in the final against Wolves. Despite Chelsea’s efforts to keep him, he transferred to Liverpool in the summer of 2024 in pursuit of a clearer pathway to senior football.

“He is such an excellent prospect,” said former Reds defender Gary Gillespie on LFC TV. “The challenge is managing expectations—but it’s hard to put a lid on it.”

After joining Liverpool’s academy in September 2024, Ngumoha quickly progressed. He debuted for the U18s at just 16, trained with the senior team during international breaks, and featured in the Uefa Youth League against AC Milan.

On January 11, 2025, he became the youngest player ever to start a competitive match for Liverpool, aged just 16 years and 135 days, during an FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley. He played 71 minutes before being substituted.

By summer 2025, Ngumoha had earned a spot in Liverpool’s pre-season tour squad to Hong Kong and Japan. He continued to impress, scoring in a friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos and further staking his claim as a genuine attacking option for the first team.