Rio Ngumoha enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Premier League last time out, but his second season with the Liverpool senior team will come with a few key changes
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool looks on after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como Calcio
Rio Ngumoha is set for a new role at Liverpool this season(Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Liverpool ace Rio Ngumoha is set for a key change ahead of the new season, with Andoni Iraola ready to play the star in an unfamiliar role moving forward.
The 17-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign last time out, making 27 appearances across all competitions with three goals and one assist to his name in that time.
More than the goals and assists, Ngumoha offered an active threat on the left wing that was otherwise missing from the side's attacking play, driving the opposition backward with his positive play. There is some hope that the youngster will be able to kick on and progress even further in his second full season, with the introduction of Iraola likely to get the best out of him.
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If that is to happen, then it looks set to come in a brand-new role for Ngumoha, who is looking to make an impression on the right flank this coming season, instead of the left.
That's because The Times reports that the former Chelsea starlet is set to take a prominent role on that side, should Liverpool complete the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
The French international is a top priority target for the Reds before the transfer window closes. While some have viewed him as a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah, that role is likely to be in terms of quality, rather than position, because Barcola will largely feature on the left.
Bradley Barcola in action for France during the World Cup
Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool's top target this summer(Image: Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
It marks a key change for Ngumoha, but one that comes with the opportunity to receive regular minutes, considering the current lack of options on the right flank.
The youngster is likely to compete with the likes of Victor Munoz and Federico Chiesa on that side, though transfers could change those competing in that area.
Chiesa has been linked with an exit in the final two weeks of the transfer window, while PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye has emerged as a potential arrival for Liverpool before the market closes.
Regardless of that, Ngumoha will be looking to make his mark, though it may not rely on him being stuck to just featuring on the right during games.
"I normally used to try to encourage our wingers to have the ability to play both sides," Iraola said during preseason on his preferred way of using wingers.
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"I know some of them are more comfortable on one side, but our team is not normally symmetrical. Also, in pre-season, I have to see where they are more comfortable, but in my previous clubs most of the wingers have played both sides."
Ngumoha has shown that so far, playing from the right for England during a pre-World Cup match, as well as doing so in preseason for Liverpool.
It remains to be seen if he will be just as threatening from that side, but there is a chance for him to make the position his own at a post-Salah Anfield.