Thomas Tuchel has backed Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha to step up and become decisive for England
England's Rio Ngumoha (L) and England's Lewis Hall (R) take part in a team training session at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground in Enfield
England's Rio Ngumoha (L) and England's Lewis Hall (R) take part in a team training session at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground in Enfield(Image: AFP)
View Image
Rio Ngumoha has been backed to become a ‘decisive’ player for England and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham by Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel.
The Liverpool youngster was handed his international debut ahead of this summer’s World Cup, as he came off the bench at half-time in a warm-up friendly against New Zealand, before being handed his maiden competitive outing in last week’s 2-0 victory away at Czechia.
The 18-year-old is being managed carefully by club and country, and has made five appearances under new head coach Andoni Iraola so far this season as he vies for starting opportunities alongside Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz.
But while he is still only a raw talent, Tuchel has high expectations for the teenager.
READ MORE: Erling Haaland battles 'bad vibes' as Man City could be left without three players vs Liverpool
Ahead of England’s 7-0 thrashing of Croatia over the weekend, it was put to the German that the Three Lions’ best attacking players were now plying their trade abroad.
But Tuchel pointed to Ngumoha as he backed the Reds starlet to step up and be ‘decisive’ for his country too.
“I didn’t think about it but yes, in the moment yes (there are a number of them playing abroad,” he said. “Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane were decisive for us in the World Cup and I see no reason they won’t be in the future.
“It’s good that Anthony (Gordon) has stepped up now. He is the third one.
“There is obviously a relevance to them playing abroad, but I don’t see that a player who plays in the Premier League cannot step up and be decisive for us.
“We have our youngest player in Rio Ngumoha – he seems to be pretty decisive. I think we have options.”
Ngumoha will hope to win his third international cap when England conclude the expanded September/October break against Czechia on Tuesday night.
He will then return to Liverpool as the Reds prepare to kick off a run of nine games in 28 days as Iraola’s men welcome Premier League leaders Man City to Anfield.
Ensure our latest news and what's on headlines always appear at the top of your Google search by making us a preferred source. Click here to activate or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings.
Get YOUR Liverpool FC Newsletter