Rio Ngumoha scored the winning goal for Liverpool in their second pre-season friendly against Wrexham
Rio Ngumoha #73 of Liverpool FC on the ball during the second half of the pre-season friendly against Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium
Rio Ngumoha #73 of Liverpool FC on the ball during the second half of the pre-season friendly against Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Rio Ngumoha has revealed he has been working on playing as a right-winger in training after being utilised in the position during Liverpool’s pre-season friendly win over Wrexham. The England international came off the bench to score the only goal as the Reds ran out 1-0 winners at Yankee Stadium.
The 17-year-old has predominantly been used as a left-winger in his fledgling career to date, and was stationed in his natural position for Liverpool’s opening match of their pre-season tour of the United States against Sunderland.
However, he caught the eye when utilised on the right wing by Thomas Tuchel when handed his senior England debut against New Zealand earlier this summer.
Having seen Mohamed Salah leave the club on a free transfer after a trophy and goal-laden nine years at Anfield, the Reds are in the market for new attacking recruits.
Victor Munoz has already joined the club in a £34.5m switch from Osasuna, while Liverpool have stepped up their interest in Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola.
The Reds have held preliminary talks with the France international’s representatives and have been given encouraging signals from the player’s camp over a potential switch to Anfield. And it’s understood Liverpool are now ready to begin negotiations with PSG over Barcola, who is rated at well over £100m.
However, Barcola is predominantly a left-winger with it not going unnoticed that Ngumoha was utilised on the right wing against Wrexham on the same day that the Reds had accelerated their interest in the PSG star.
And the 17-year-old has hinted that he could feature on the right-hand side more in the months after, admitting it is something he has been working on in training.
“All the coaching staff are just telling me to play my normal game really, whether that’s going inside or outside,” he said. “I’ve been working on it in training anyway, playing on the right and the left. Just being unpredictable really.
“On from the end of last season, I just want to play and start as many games as I can.
“These games are a really good showcase to show the manager, because it’s a fresh start for everyone. It’s really important and it’s good.
“All the lads are treating me like I’m a professional player. Obviously, I’m still young and I’m learning, but all the players have been top. It has been good.”
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Meanwhile, Ngumoha also revealed what new head coach Andoni Iraola had been asking from him since the start of pre-season.
“Pressing. We like to press high – so any duels we can win, we can go at full speed,” he told the club. “And then on the ball, when I get the chance one-v-one, take it on.
“If not, look, come back and keep playing. Goals and assists as well.”
Ngumoha had earlier revealed that he considered himself an option for Iraola on the right wing at the start of pre-season.
“Yeah, definitely (I’m an option on the right),” he told the club. “I think being unpredictable off both sides is key.
“Obviously, everyone knows I can play on the left, but on the right I feel like I’m improving and I’m getting better.
“So, yeah, definitely off the left and the right this season.”