Rio Ngumoha played his first game in almost a month for Liverpool as he made his season’s bow for the U21s, while Luke Chambers made a long-awaited return.
Ngumoha has spent the entire season so far as part of Arne Slot‘s first-team squad, but that has seen the 17-year-old’s game time limited.
He has made eight appearances for the senior side, including a dream Premier League debut against Newcastle, but has only clocked 219 minutes on the pitch in four months.
His last competitive outing for the Reds was against Nottingham Forest on November 22.
That comes with Ngumoha not having been involved at all with any of the youth sides, despite being eligible for the U21s and U18s, as well as the U19s in the UEFA Youth League.
Liverpool U21s lose 2-1 to Nice; Luke Chambers returns
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But that ended on Wednesday with a start for Rob Page’s U21s in their latest mid-season friendly – a 2-1 loss to OGC Nice at the AXA Training Centre.
Ngumoha played an hour and went close to scoring early on, but the visitors took a two-goal lead around the time he exited the pitch.
Another 17-year-old, Joe Bradshaw, got the goal for Liverpool, finishing well after being teed up by the busy Keyrol Figueroa.
Armin Pecsi started in goal in a side captained by Amara Nallo, with Trent Kone-Doherty, Michael Laffey, Josh Davidson, Carter Pinnington and Ben Trueman among those to feature.
PHILADELPHIA - Sunday, July 28, 2024: Liverpool's Luke Chambers during an open training session at Lincoln Financial Field on day five of the club's pre-season tour of the USA. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Chambers came off the bench for the final half-hour to mark his first appearance since suffering a recurrence of a serious back injury in March.
The left-back, 21, was on loan at Wigan when he sustained the injury and has since focused on his recovery back at the AXA.
While his quality and experience would no doubt interest a host of clubs in the January transfer window, the likelihood is that he will stay with the U21s for the remainder of the season to focus on his fitness.
Will Liverpool consider a January loan for Ngumoha?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Liverpool's substitute goalkeeper Rio Ngumoha on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. Forest won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The same is expected to apply to strikers Jayden Danns and Will Wright, who are yet to return from long-term hamstring and knee injuries respectively but are both training outdoors again.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool could consider a mid-season loan for Ngumoha, with there certain to be no shortage of interest if he were to be made available.
However it seems unlikely given he has made the matchday squad on all but one occasion for the first team so far this season – and should start again when Barnsley head to Anfield in the FA Cup third round.
His involvement with the U21s this time around can be considered a positive as Liverpool look to ensure he builds up match sharpness.