Unsurprisingly, right-back has been something of a problem for Liverpool this season.
It was always going to be a hit, losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid at the end of his contract. The England international is one of the world's finest playmakers, hailed for his "generational" talent by reporter Charlotte Coates.
Jeremie Frimpong was signed for £29.5m, but the speedy Dutchman has spent much of the season on the sidelines, and Conor Bradley has too.
conor-bradley-liverpool
With Curtis Jones linked with a move away during the January transfer window, there are growing concerns that Liverpool's academy standouts are all flying the nest, but with Rio Ngumoha making continual improvements, there's little reason to be concerned.
Rio Ngumoha is Liverpool's next superstar
Last summer, Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich in a move worth £65.5m. One of Arne Slot's most faithful servants departed, and Liverpool's frontline was weakened.
FSG made the bold call to refrain from signing a big-cost replacement and instead give Ngumoha a clear pathway to the first team, and this looked a smart call at the start of the season when the youngster scored the winner at St. James' Park just days before his 17th birthday.
The left-sided winger is electric and ferocious on the ball. He plays with innate awareness and understanding to combine with his technical ability, so far above the capacity of most other youngsters.
"I really believe I can win the Ballon d'Or one day," Ngumoha said in an interview with the Liverpool Academy last August. That's a lofty goal, but it does underscore the teenager's mentality as he looks to capitalise on any opportunity Slot gives him.
Youngest Scorers in Premier League History
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Ngumoha's exciting development on the fringe of Liverpool's senior squad should stand as evidence for his younger peers to stay on Merseyside and work toward becoming the next Alexander-Arnold.
There's one prospect in particular who has the potential to be the cream of the crop, but there is concerning talk that he is going to be poached by one of Liverpool's Premier League rivals.
Liverpool prodigy could be their own Ngumoha sale
Ngumoha only arrived in Liverpool in 2024, with FSG pouncing to poach from Chelsea's Cobham youth system one of their prized up-and-comers.
It has recently been determined via a tribunal that Liverpool must pay the Blues at least £3m for the England U19 star, though this is a small financial sacrifice to land one of the biggest talents of his age bracket.
Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha
This was a dopamine hit for those of a Liverpool persuasion, but they are now in danger of falling to the same tactic with 15-year-old forward Josh Abe, who has been described as a "special talent" by journalist Bence Bocsak as he performs with age-belying potency for the U18s.
This season, the right winger has scored eight goals and supplied three assists in the U18 Premier League, including a recent hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Leeds United.
Fast and direct, there's a lot of potential there, but Abe may actually leave Liverpool in a similar fashion to Ngumoha at Cobham.
Liverpool chiefs are working to secure a scholarship for Abe. However, there has been no breakthrough yet and this has fuelled Manchester City in their bid to add him to their rich youth ranks.
This cannot be allowed to happen, and the negotiators on Merseyside will have urged Abe to prioritise sporting success and continue to walk down a clear pathway toward superstardom on the major stage.
Trent Alexander Arnold goal involvements (timeless)
Trent grew into one of Europe's finest footballers, and Abe has the potential to become one of the best too, but whether he will earn his first shot at the major stage with Liverpool or one of their rivals remains to be seen.
In this, he could become Liverpool's own frustrating Ngumoha sale.
Naby Keita in action for Liverpool. Related
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Liverpool need to ring the changes once again in the summer transfer window.