There hasn’t been much for Liverpool fans to get excited about this season, but Academy talents like Josh Abe and Rio Ngumoha being made a ‘focus’ point is certainly positive.
Ngumoha is already impressing whenever he’s given a rare chance to feature in the senior side.
He shone off the bench in the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest last weekend, and Slot now plans to use the Liverpool gem more in the remainder of 2025/26.
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Alexis Mac Allister during Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
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Alongside the 17-year-old winger, Josh Abe is also expected to be a ‘focus’ for Liverpool.
Rio Ngumoha and Josh Abe become ‘focus’ for Liverpool
It was confirmed on Friday that Academy talent Trent Kone-Doherty has completed a permanent transfer to Norwegian club Molde.
Kone-Doherty made 50 appearances for the Reds’ U21s, but struggled to break into the senior side, notching just two outings before his recent exit.
Now, when discussing the 19-year-old’s departure, journalist David Lynch has said that Liverpool are making Abe and Ngumoha a ‘focus’.
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He wrote on X: “Trent Kone-Doherty has completed a €750,000 move to Norwegian club Molde.
“A good move for regular first-team football for the winger, with Liverpool’s focus on creating pathways for Rio Ngumoha and Josh Abe.”
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Trey Nyoni in action during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park
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Josh Abe could leave Liverpool
For those unfamiliar with Abe, the 15-year-old was promoted to the Reds’ U18 set-up in 2025.
He now has eight goals and three assists in 10 U18 Premier League matches this season.
Abe has been called ‘exciting’ by Simon Wiles, who said last month: “You can see, you just keep seeing him growing with confidence and the quality that he’s got. He’s got a real knack for when he does come inside, hitting the back of the net. That is a real talent.
“So it’s really exciting working with him. Seeing him perform like that. I thought the second goal was fantastic with Luca [Eden] to place the ball over the top, brilliant. So yeah, Josh is in a really good place, as are Erik [Farkas] and Luca at this time as well, all doing really, really well.”
At present, however, Abe is yet to accept Liverpool’s contract offer and can start speaking to other clubs from June 1, 2026.
A number of Premier League sides are thought to be looking at the teenager.
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