This has been a strange season for those at Liverpool, whose Premier League title defence has been in tatters for some time and who remain among the favourites to lift the FA Cup and the Champions League.
That, at least, is a testament to the immense quality spread across Arne Slot's squad, but without the right balance and consistency over the business months of the campaign, Liverpool will fall flat.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot-1
While there's nothing that sporting director Richard Hughes can do right now, he will be working toward making more signings this summer, and he'll want to get the balance right.
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Liverpool are going to push for several big-money stars this summer. Jeremy Jacquet is already set to strengthen Liverpool's backline after a £51m deal was agreed with Rennes in January, and wingers are certainly needed.
Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah have flattered to deceive, but Rio Ngumoha has been a revelation in recent games, emerging as one of Europe's future superstars this season.
The 17-year-old forward is the cream of Liverpool's young crop, but Hughes and co have actually set their sights on a young right-back who could rival Ngumoha for bragging rights as the Reds' top talent.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have joined Arsenal and Manchester United in opening talks for 18-year-old Benfica talent Daniel Banjaqui, who has impressed under Jose Mourinho's management this season.
Benfica's Daniel Banjaqui
The 17-year-old only made his senior debut in December but he's quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising right-backs in Europe, and if he keeps at it, Liverpool, Arsenal and United will surely enter a dogfight for his signature this summer.
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When you're ready, you're ready. Slot has been reluctant to overwhelm the young Ngumoha with too many minutes; there's no question that he's among Europe's most talented teenagers, but he could be rivalled by someone like Banjaqui.
It's taken a while, but Rio has stood out across both of Liverpool's recent fixtures against Wolves, and this emergence could prompt Slot to be more open to young prospects such as Banjaqui breaking through too.
Rio Ngumoha's Stats at Molineux
Stats
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Touches
Shots (on target)
Accurate passes
Possession lost
Chances created
Crosses
Dribbles
Recoveries
Tackles
Duels won
The Portuguese prospect has been hailed for his athletic dribbling, with analyst Ben Mattinson saying in 2025 that his "ball-carrying is so powerful". Those comments came before his senior debut, and he has only gone from strength to strength since then.
In fact, while he's only featured three times for Benfica's senior set-up, the shallow data pool from his two outings in Liga Portugal tells a deep tale in regard to his potential, having won 14 duels and completed 67% of his dribbles across the two matches, creating two chances too.
Moreover, he doesn't have a half-bad cross on him, capable of whipping the ball into the danger area after making a breakneck burst up the touchline.
Though Banjaqui has only played a bit of senior football, there's no denying that he is one of the most talented young right-backs out there. After all, Arsenal and Manchester United are also keen, and these Premier League heavyweights boast two of the finest academies not just in England but across the globe.
For Liverpool, the thought of landing a prodigious wide defender to rival Jeremie Frimpong (who may feature in advanced roles next year) and Conor Bradley is too good to resist, and he could even take Ngumoha's standing as Liverpool's top youngster.
Benfica's Daniel Banjaqui-1
Ultimately, Banjaqui will have the pick of the bunch, and while Arsenal and the Red Devils are both sure to present compelling projects, Liverpool have shown they have a real skill for developing elite up-and-comers, and Merseyside might just be the perfect place for him to develop his superstar potential.
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Liverpool defeated Wolves at Molineux to advance to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.