Liverpool coach selects teenage forward of Nigerian descent for Asia pre-season tour

Premier League-winning coach Arne Slot has named a 29-man squad for Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia, with England U17 international of Nigerian descent Rio Ngumoha among the travelling party.

Ngumoha, who has trained with the first team since the start of pre-season, featured in the Reds' opening friendlies against Preston North End and Stoke City.

He recently opened his Liverpool account in a behind-closed-doors match on Sunday—cutting inside the box before seeing his deflected strike loop into the net.

The former Chelsea schoolboy made history on January 11, 2025, when he debuted in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley at just 16 years and 135 days old, becoming the youngest player to represent Liverpool in the competition.

He was an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup tie against Southampton and also made the matchday squad for the FA Cup fourth round clash at Plymouth Argyle.

At youth level, the highly rated forward has impressed with appearances across the U18 Premier League, Premier League 2, UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup, tallying two goals and four assists.

Now entering the second year of his scholarship, Ngumoha is in talks with the club over his first professional contract.

He will be hoping to earn valuable minutes in upcoming friendlies against AC Milan and Yokohama F. Marinos.
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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