Who is Rio Ngumoha? Liverpool wonderkid named on bench vs Southampton

Latest Liverpool news and gossip as Arne Slot names Rio Ngumoha in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton

Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha has been named on the bench for the Carabao Cup clash against Southampton. The 16-year-old has travelled with the Reds matchday squad for the quarter-final tie at St Mary’s on Wednesday evening.

Arne Slot has named Ngumoha among the substitutes as the Liverpool head coach aims to secure progression to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup. The Reds remain the defending champions of the competition and a win over the Saints would secure a spot in the two-legged semi-final which begins next month.

Ngumoha’s inclusion on the bench marks the first time that the teenager has been selected in the matchday squad for the first time since his arrival from Chelsea last summer. The Reds signed Ngumoha from the Londoners earlier this year, and he has since been a key player for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s Under-18 squad.

But what more do we know about Rio Ngumoha, the Liverpool wonderkid on the bench for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton?

Ngumoha is 16 years old and plays on the left wing for Liverpool’s Under-18 side. He already has 13 appearances to his name this season since moving to Merseyside, including five in the UEFA Youth League.

Despite the teenager waiting to score his first goal since signing for Liverpool, Ngumoha already has four assists to his name and has often proved himself to be a handful for opposition defenders. There has been plenty of hype around Ngumoha’s potential ever since he left Chelsea to sign for the Reds, and the 16-year-old has already outlined his ambition to become the best player in the world.

“I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day,” said Ngumoha, speaking to Lovell Soccer’s Inside The Academy back in October. “I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game.”