Via Reuters
Liverpool will return to action against Manchester City on Sunday in a game which will already have all eyes on it for many of the wrong reasons, but the day could actually most significant for Rio Ngumoha.
The extended international break has seen three weeks pass since the last Premier League action, but the English top flight has been all over the headlines regardless since Man City were found to be guilty of the vast majority of their 115 charges.
City maintain their innocence and are appealing the verdict, while speculation over the level of punishment is flying in all directions ahead of what promises to be an historic occasion on Merseyside this weekend, as Enzo Maresca's men return to action under the darkest of clouds.
But for all the league leaders may, or may not, be in turmoil as observers from across the football world wait to see how the visitors perform in the middle of this unprecedented storm, there is still the small matter of how Andoni Iraola's Reds react to the situation.
Liverpool remain unbeaten after five games since the Spaniard replaced Arne Slot in the summer, but three draws before the end of September signify a work in progress for a side that endured a miserable defence of their title last term following a record-breaking transfer spend.
Iraola without Isak and Gakpo for huge Man City visit
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
Premier League - Chelsea v Liverpool - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 4, 2025 Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Aleksander Isak was the headline arrival of the summer 2025 outlay, arriving from Newcastle for £125 million after a protracted saga, to push the overall spend to almost £450m, but ahead of City's visit Iraola has confirmed that the Swedish striker will miss the game with injury.
So too will Cody Gakpo, who has featured in every Premier League game so far under the former Bournemouth boss, starting four, despite links to a summer exit.
Iraola indicated that Federico Chiesa is back in training after his pre-season injury but surely the main beneficiary of those absences is teenager Ngumoha.
The 18-year-old had something of a breakout campaign under Slot in 2025/26 as he made 19 Premier League appearances following his memorable match-winner at Newcastle in the second game of the season.
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
But after impressing as part of Thomas Tuchel's England set-up ahead of the World Cup, despite not being in the squad for the tournament, and starting the top-flight opener against the Magpies, he has been on the bench in the league since, and stayed there unused twice.
The youngster is surely at the front of the queue for the starting XI for what is one of the most anticipated matches in English football history. Liverpool vs Man City has been a headline fixture of recent years, but with the added controversy of the independent panel's ruling on the financial charges and the potential reaction of the Anfield crowd interest is bound to be at an all-time high.
Ngumoha may therefore see the planets aligning for him to launch himself into the history books with a decisive contribution in this meeting.
Ngumoha could have a Rooney moment at Anfield
rio ngumoha
rio ngumoha
The wide man has form for stepping up to the occasion, with the 100th-minute winner on his Premier League debut at St. James' Park last season announcing his arrival in spectacular fashion, and his Man of the Match performance against New Zealand on his England debut similarly impressive.
Rio Ngumoha for Liverpool Appearances Goals
Premier League 22 2
Champions League 5 0
Domestic Cups 8 0
Everybody knows who he is by now, so a star turn or decisive goal against City on Sunday wouldn't exactly constitute 'bursting onto the scene' Micah Richards style, or Wayne Rooney firing his way into the collective consciousness at 16 with his winner against Arsenal's Invincibles.
But with his track record in his short career so far, it seems like an opportunity Iraola must take advantage of by handing Ngumoha a start on such a big occasion, and an opportunity for the youngster to make an unforgettable mark on Premier League history, and potentially stake a claim to fill the Mohamed Salah-shaped hole in the Liverpool side going forward.