Five months after leaving Chelsea, 16yo Nigerian named in Liverpool matchday squad v Southampton

Five months after leaving Chelsea for Liverpool, talented Nigerian forward Rio Ngumoha could be on the verge of making his first-ever professional appearance, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The 16-year-old has been named in the matchday squad for the Reds’ Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Southampton at the St.Mary's Stadium tonight.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has decided to involve some of the youth players in today's clash to give rest to the first-team players that have played a lot of minutes this season.

Ngumoha is one of the youngsters to benefit from Slot's decision though he has only been named as a substitute for the game.

Should he make his debut tonight, he will become one of the youngest players to have ever played for Liverpool; Jerome Sinclair holds the record at 16 years and six days.

He has featured predominantly for the U18s, making seven appearances in the U18 Premier League and registering two assists.

The Anglo-Nigerian forward has also made his debut in the UEFA Youth League, replacing Kyle Kelly in the 0-0 draw with AC Milan in September.

Liverpool hierarchy rate Ngumoha highly and that influenced their decision to snap him up from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: liverpoolfc.com 

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