Nurturing talent: How Ngumoha is shaping Liverpool's future

Though Ngumoha made his official Liverpool debut back in January, it's his displays this summer that have truly announced his arrival.

In the recent friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield, he marked the occasion by registering a goal and an assist within the opening five minutes. Throughout the pre-season, his confident, electric style has caught the eye as Arne Slot prepares for his inaugural campaign in charge.

Born and raised in Newham, London, Ngumoha joined Chelsea's academy at just eight years old. He progressed swiftly, notably scoring in the U17 Premier League Cup final to help Chelsea lift the trophy.

When contract talks faltered, Ngumoha opted for a switch to Liverpool in September 2024, initially joining the U18s before quickly making his mark in the Youth League.

Slot wasted no time recognising his potential, integrating him into first-team training during international breaks.

By December 2024, he was on the bench for a Premier League fixture against Southampton, before making history the following month in an FA Cup tie against Accrington Stanley — becoming Liverpool's youngest ever player to start a competitive match as he clocked over 70 minutes on the pitch.

Inclusion in pre-season first-team preparations was a bold move by Slot, and one that has paid dividends. Ngumoha started against Preston North End in mid-July, offering glimpses of his potential. He followed this up with a neat assist in the 2-4 defeat to AC Milan, setting the stage for further breakthroughs.

Against Yokohama Marinos, Ngumoha injected pace and directness off the bench, scoring his first pre-season goal with a clever finish after driving inside from the right flank.

He replicated this approach against Athletic Bilbao, where he dazzled defenders with blistering runs near the box before firing past the goalkeeper.

Shortly after opening the scoring, he supplied a deft header assist to Darwin Nunez, prompting the Anfield faithful to chant his name — a rare and telling show of support for such a young prospect.

A steep yet promising path ahead

The challenge facing Ngumoha is clear. With Liverpool bolstering their attack through signings like Wirtz and Ekitike — alongside established stars such as Nunez, Gakpo and Salah — first-team opportunities will be hard won. Yet Slot appears committed to nurturing his prodigious talent.

His game thrives on directness and electric pace, qualities that allow him to take defenders on with confidence. However, he still struggles in more measured, possession-based moments, where slowing the game down and making thoughtful decisions prove tougher.

Speaking to the media, Slot praised the young winger's impact this summer while acknowledging the need for further development, particularly in decision-making. But time is firmly on Ngumoha's side — he won't turn 17 until late September.

For now, Liverpool are giving him the platform to grow and shine, an exciting glimpse of a potential star in the making.