By the time Rio Ngumoha struck with a solo effort in Liverpools 3-1 win at Yokohama during pre-season, the 16-year-olds dazzling runs and productive delivery had made a goal seem inevitable.England Under-17 youth international Ngumoha had also shone four days earlier against Milan in Singapore, including an assist for Dominik Szoboszlais equaliser in the 4-2 defeat.Reds manager Arne Slot has been cautious in his praise of Ngumoha and warned him about his occasional pass selection, but others have been more effusive in their predictions.Heres what winger Ngumoha has had to say about his latest spell in the first team and why team-mate Harvey Elliott and two ex-Liverpool regulars believe he has a huge future.Best NFL Betting Promos | NFL Preseason GW1 Bonus BetsTable of ContentsRio Ngumoha: Liverpools Lamine Yamal?Harvey Elliott: Ngumoha incredibleNgumoha: Andy Robertson an inspirationRio Ngumoha loan move: You can get lostWirtz and Salah make team-mates betterWill Ngumoha play in the Premier League this season?Rio Ngumoha: Liverpools Lamine Yamal?Former Chelesa prospect Ngumoha joined Liverpools academy in September 2024, scoring two goals in eight assists in the Premier League 2 last season and making six Uefa Youth League appearances.Jason McAteer, who made 139 appearances for Liverpool between 1995 and 1999, believes Ngumoha could solve a future transfer headache.When you look at the way the transfer windows are going for this type of player, we spent [up to] �116m on [Florian] Wirtz, former right-back McAteer told LFC TV.As the seasons go on, thats only going to increase and youll be looking at 120, 130, 140. In two or three seasons time, when hes 19, and probably before that, when hes ready to go in as a first-team regular, thats going to save them 130 million. It can be daunting when you move into a first-team environment, but hes flourishing. Im not putting him up there with [Barcelonas Lamine] Yamal certainly not but if youre good enough, youre old enough.Its vitally important that Liverpool are producing academy talent season after season. The pathway for the academy talent is there if theyre given the opportunity. Hes a very, very special boy.Harvey Elliott: Ngumoha incredibleHarvey Elliott, who knows about expectations during a Liverpool career that began with the winger starting an EFL Cup match as a 16-year-old in 2019, called Ngumoha fearless.He showed that against AC Milan, one of Europes big teams, said Elliott. He looked like a kid in a park, although he is a kid. He just needs to carry on like this.Were trying as much as we can to help him out. If he keeps on performing the way he is and working hard, the kids got an amazing future.Im really excited to see where things go. Myself and the younger lads are closer to him in age. There arent many 16 or 17-year-olds in the team. Hes in because hes incredible at his age and able to handle to himself.Its important the younger lads are around him and look after him, which is what weve been doing. Not leave him out bring him into the squad and make him feel really part of it.Ngumoha: Andy Robertson an inspirationNgumoha, who started Liverpools 4-0 home win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on January 11, called his display against Yokahama a very big night and just the first of many.Ill keep on working hard and show the manager what I can do, he vowed, crediting Andy Robertson with really helping me a lot.Hes so experienced and one of the best left-backs in the world. I feel like having him behind me, you cant really ask for anything more.He teaches me a lot. [For the goal] I think they lost the ball and then Robbo passed it to me. In my mind, I was thinking can I score?, because I had a chance last time.My brother is the biggest person in my life him and my mum and hes definitely buzzing. Im not trying to rush because Im still only young.At the same time, I want to show the manager what I can do and not get too complacent, because I want bigger and better things for me and the club. Rio Ngumoha loan move: You can get lostNeil Mellor was prolific for Liverpool at youth level but did not establish himself as a first-choice striker during his time at the club between 1999 and 2006.Decisions have to be made with these young players, whether its training with the under-21s or the first team, said Mellor.Wheres his game time going to be? Its not going to be in the reserves, like it was for us. Does he get enough in the under-21 or under-19 games?Mellor feels Ngumoha should not go out on loan. Im a big believer that somebody whos as talented as that needs to learn the standards for whats expected at Liverpool Football Club, he explained.To train every day with the best players in the world would be massive for his development. If he went on loan to someone like, I dont know, West Brom in the Championship or Southampton, you can get lost or go backwards a little bit. It doesnt suit everybody.I think hes in the right place and right environment, with where this football club is at, to be in a position to say I might be needed, in a year or two years, to play in the first team. Wirtz and Salah make team-mates betterNgumoha was a month younger than Elliott when he featured against Accrington, although he is second to Jerome Sinclair who was 16 years and six days of age against West Brom in the EFL Cup in 2012 as the clubs youngest ever player.There are some 16-year-olds coming through who do well and are adaptable to their surroundings, suggested McAteer.Hes one of them, I think. Its a hard one because hes a very, very talented player, but hes 16. When I speak about if youre good enough, youre old enough thats in a football maturity world.In life, theres an immaturity about him because hes 16. Thats not being critical. Theres a lot to learn weve all been 16.McAteer also believes Ngumoha should stay put. He needs protecting, in that sense, in staying at the club rather than going on loan, he said.If he was 19 Id put him out on loan at Blackburn or somewhere like that. Liverpool will be thinking whether hes old enough to go out on loan or be kept hold of and develop.With the likes of Wirtz and [Mohamed] Salah, hes only going to get better and mature quicker this season where he is. Will Ngumoha play in the Premier League this season?Elliott is backing Ngumoha to continue breaking through in 2025/26. Hes going to have a massive shot this season, said the Under-21 Euro winner.We can all see his quality and I think he has a really, really big chance. In the upcoming years, hopefully he can show the world and everyone at Liverpool why hes so highly rated. Topics Andy Robertson Arne Slot Harvey Elliott Liverpool F.C. 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