Teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha was a figurehead for Liverpool on and off the pitch for the Reds in a 1-0 preseason victory over Wrexham in a coming-of-age showing
05:23, 30 Jul 2026
Rio Ngumoha
Rio Ngumoha earned second half minutes on the right wing for the Reds on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)
This preseason, 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, for perhaps the first time as a senior player, wasn’t the youngest player on the pitch for Liverpool (that honor belonged to Josh Abe, who, yes, was born in 2010).
But Ngumoha carries himself like anything but a green teenager in a squad full of pricey regulars, particularly with many familiar faces still away on World Cup duty.
Ngumoha admitted he was rusty following Liverpool’s 1-0 preseason victory over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York, a match in which he scored the only goal and started on the right wing, his unpreferred side....perhaps accommodating for the pending arrival of left-winger Bradley Barcola for a record fee.
The 17-year-old was, without a doubt, Liverpool’s central protagonist after coming on at halftime. Ngumoha frequently took on Wrexham defenders to mixed success — he completed just one of four dribbles but logged seven progressive carries, a game-best — to wake up a sleepy New York crowd.
His fearlessness and relentlessness, even when he wasn't at his dizzying best, are signs of a confident (not arrogant) player. Ngumoha's tireless effort was rewarded with a 75th-minute deflected goal.
The Reds players made their slow departure down the Yankee Stadium following the final whistle, completing a half-lap of the field while neglecting — likely inadvertently — the center-field section.
Rio Ngumoha
Rio Ngumoha wasn't shy to take Wrexham players on (Image: Getty Images)
Ngumoha, slow to wrap up his post-match TV duties, walked across the field to Liverpool supporters sitting in the lower “bleacher” seats, eager to interact with the club they support, but found themselves marooned in the outfield with no players to interact with.
The 17-year-old, down to just an undershirt, called for Liverpool fans to chuck their jerseys onto the pitch. Ngumoha signed shirt after shirt from Reds’ supporters, quite literally stripping it off their own backs.
Rio Ngumoha
Stand-in captain Dominik Szobszlai celebrates Rio Ngumoha's goal with him(Image: Getty Images)
Ngumoha, who has just two senior goals in official competition, wasn't afraid to be the protagonist on Wednesday evening. Who was the last Liverpool 17-year-old you could say that about?
What Ngumoha said
It was humorous to hear an ignorant American journalist in the mixed zone ask 19-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni about how he learns from Liverpool’s senior players, like 25-year-old Dominik Szoboszlai — a candidate to be vice-captain — and Ngumoha, two years Nyoni’s senior. To the untrained eye, Rio is an established player.
Ngumoha is, undoubtedly, too skillful to play around 900 minutes (like he did in 2025/26) next season. To play more, he must adapt, and that may mean playing on the right wing.
He gave a mature answer when asked by ESPN about the position switch. “Any position. Right wing, left wing, I just try my best, especially on the ball, just to beat my man as much as I can," he shared. “To be adaptable is a skill I need, definitely.”
“Today was a bit rusty, but the more I keep learning, training, and playing games, I’ll definitely improve."
Article continues below
Ngumoha, at 17, is already mature. And he's ready to be a serious protagonist for Liverpool this campaign.