The Anfield faithful are no strangers to the electric thrill of a teenage prodigy breaking into the first team. From Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s history is punctuated by generational talents who play without fear.
The latest star ascending this starry path is 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, whose breakout season has captured the imagination of football fans across the country.
With breathtaking feet, a fearless approach to dribbling, and a maturity that belies his tender years, Ngumoha has rapidly transitioned from academy hope to first-team weapon.
Across 19 Premier League appearances this season, the youngster has clocked 582 minutes, netting two crucial goals. More impressively, he has already tasted Europe’s elite tier, featuring four times in the UEFA Champions League.
But to understand the meteoric rise of Liverpool’s newest gem, one has to look back to a pivotal crossroads in October 2024, shortly after he made the high-profile decision to swap Stamford Bridge for Anfield.
Rio Ngumoha has been one of Liverpool’s stars in a breakout season for the 17-year-old, and he previously spoke on the Inside the Academy podcast in October 2024, where he shared some stories of his influences in the early stages of his career.
The youngster spoke on a range of topics, including the schedule of being an academy player, finding influences in the “GOAT” Lionel Messi and how he balanced school work and his academy training.
In the Premier League this season, he has played 582 Premier League minutes across 19 games and scored two goals. He also got a taste for Champions League football, playing four times in the competition for Liverpool.
This podcast was filmed shortly after Ngumoha joined Liverpool, having decided not to sign professionally for Chelsea. It was at Chelsea that he was able to link up with fellow Londoner and former Liverpool player Raheem Sterling.
Influence of Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling grew up in a similar manner to Ngumoha. In this interview, Ngumoha reflected on his time playing in the football cages of East London. Taking these raw abilities and applying them into the elite game, while also keeping this unique style. Raheem Sterling is one of the few players who was able to do this and also was able to do it at Liverpool.
“He tells me, I remember one time he pulled me to the side and was like, when you lose the ball, always make sure you are in the game. At our level, everything moves so fast-paced, you just always have to be on it, and then you can do your little bit (dribbling).
Sterling’s time at Chelsea may not have been successful for him personally but it has made a massive difference for Ngumoha, who he has been able to influence massively.
“It makes me feel I can do what he has done.”
What’s next for Rio Ngumoha?
Ngumoha looks set for big things and his influence should grow throughout the next year. The winger has also been selected to travel with the England squad to a pre World Cup training camp. This shows how his future is seen among the England coaches.
Ngumoha has big plans for his own future. He doesn’t just want to make it as a pro. He wants to be the very best.
“I feel like I want to win the Balon d’Or, I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and just be a legend in the game.”
Liverpool fans can only be hopeful that he is correct and he decides to become the best while staying at Liverpool.
It is the kind of fierce, unabashed ambition that separates the good players from the truly great. While some might bristle at a teenager mentioning the Ballon d’Or so early in his journey, it is exactly this elite mindset that has fueled his rapid rise.
For Liverpool, the task now is to nurture this astonishing potential. Under the right guidance, surrounded by world-class teammates, and backed by the Kop, Rio Ngumoha has all the tools to turn his audacious dreams into reality. Kopites can only watch on in excitement, hoping that as he climbs to the apex of world football, he does so with the Liver Bird firmly stamped on his chest.