Arne Slot brought Rio Ngumoha into the Liverpool team and discussed the winger during his time in charge
Arne Slot and Rio Ngumoha
Arne Slot previously shared his thoughts on Rio Ngumoha(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Former Liverpool manager Arne Slot backed Rio Ngumoha to develop into a future star after integrating him into the first team at Anfield. The 47-year-old was dismissed by the Reds shortly after the campaign concluded and has been succeeded by Andoni Iraola.
Slot guided the club to the Premier League title in 2025 and was expected to capitalise on that triumph last season following several high-profile signings. Yet Liverpool rapidly dropped out of the title challenge, and the Dutch manager could not hold on to his position despite securing Champions League qualification.
In an open letter to supporters, Slot said: "This club will always judge itself by the biggest honours. That is how it should be."
It proved to be a challenging campaign for the Reds, but teenage prospect Ngumoha emerged as a shining light. The winger netted a dramatic winner against Newcastle United in August, just before his 17th birthday, and added to his Premier League goal tally against Fulham in April.
The latter goal at Anfield arrived in only his second league start, but Slot predicted there would be many more memorable moments to come from Ngumoha. When asked if the goal offered a glimpse into Liverpool's future, Slot responded: "Yeah, but not only the long future, also the near future.
"I think I've said a few weeks, maybe months ago, one or two months ago, that his playing time would increase because he got stronger and stronger, showed more and more when he came in, but also in training sessions, that it wasn't only a nice trick, but there was more and more end product to what he did.
"There was more and more power to what he did, which is needed if you play against the best defenders in the world. And I don't think anyone is surprised that at this moment of time he scored his first goal [at Anfield]."
Rio Ngumoha celebrates scoring against Fulham
Slot praised Ngumoha after his goal against Fulham(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
The Liverpool manager added: "He has such a special quality which you don't see a lot in football anymore: dominating the one-v-one situation. And that's exactly what he did when he scored his goal, making the ball free by twisting and turning and then hitting it in like a Mo Salah finish, I would say."
Ngumoha made 29 appearances for the Reds across all competitions and his breakthrough campaign has extended to the international stage. Despite not being named in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, the winger earned his England debut in the recent 1-0 friendly victory over New Zealand.
Deployed on the right flank, he collected the player of the match award despite ordinarily lining up on the left for Liverpool. Ngumoha received his first England cap from Jude Bellingham, with the Real Madrid superstar full of praise for the youngster's performance.
Ngumoha's displays have reportedly drawn attention from Bayern Munich. However, Liverpool will be reluctant to part with Ngumoha, whom Slot previously tipped to have a long future at Anfield.
Buy Blood Red, our monthly Liverpool FC print publication for just £3.50 by clicking here
Content Image
Content Image