Rio Ngumoha once again impressed for Liverpool against Chelsea, with the teenager bagging an assist as he earned yet more plaudits for his display against his former club
14:32, 09 May 2026
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool faces Cole Palmer of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on May 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England
Rio Ngumoha was handed just his third Premier League start against Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha has been compared to Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku by Ally McCoist after impressing once again for Liverpool.
The 17-year-old was handed just his third Premier League start as the Reds faced Chelsea at Anfield, and he once again made an impact against the club he left back in 2024.
Ngumoha provided the assist for Ryan Gravenberch’s opener as Liverpool made the perfect start in their quest for Champions League qualification, and there were plenty of bright moments from the teenager during the opening 45 minutes, even if the rest of his teammates weren’t performing to the same standards.
READ MORE: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea LIVE: Full-time reaction as Arne Slot booed and Reds drop points againREAD MORE: Arne Slot issues Florian Wirtz injury update after 'things got worse' for Liverpool star
Yet another impressive display had TNT Sports commentator McCoist purring, with Ngumoha earning comparisons to City’s $77M star.
He really reminds me of Jeremy Doku,” McCoist said. “The first thing he wants to do is isolate his defender and take him on, I love it. He can't get enough of the ball.
“He is really positive and attracts so many defenders, leaving the space for his teammates around him.”
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool runs with the ball under pressure from Andrey Santos and Malo Gusto of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea
Rio Ngumoha impressed during Liverpool's clash with Chelsea(Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Despite Ngumoha once again catching the eye, his teammates once again flattered to deceive as Chelsea took control of the game after Gravenberch’s goal, with Enzo Fernandez earning a deserved equalizer for the visitors.
The Reds were let off the hook shortly after half-time when Cole Palmer’s goal was disallowed following a VAR review, with Marc Cucurella judged to have been marginally offside in the build-up.
Curtis Jones then saw his goal at the other end chalked off after Cody Gakpo had strayed too far before heading the ball on to the midfielder.
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Ngumoha was withdrawn with just over 20 minutes remaining in a move that proved hugely unpopular amongst the Anfield crowd. Arne Slot’s decision was booed by supporters before they applauded the teenager, who made way for Alexander Isak on his injury return.
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Liverpool.com says: Ngumoha just looks so good that you have to remind yourself he’s still only 17. The future looks very bright for him.
The pressure is growing on Slot though after that decision to take him off during the second half. Fans are already frustrated with the lack of starts the teenager is getting, and there were definitely other players you would have brought off first against Chelsea. The Liverpool boss is not helping his own cause at the moment.