Liverpool are continuing talks with Rio Ngumoha over a new five-year contract, and I think there is one thing the club must get right if they want to secure his future.
They have to give him a genuine pathway into the first team.
That is what attracted Ngumoha to Anfield in the first place, and it is something Liverpool cannot afford to forget as they work to tie down one of their most exciting young players.
According to The Times’ Paul Joyce, discussions are continuing over a new five-year deal, which Ngumoha has been eligible to sign since turning 18 at the end of August. The winger is clearly looking for opportunities to develop at senior level, which helps explain why he chose Liverpool over remaining at Chelsea.
And honestly, I can understand that completely.
Ngumoha didn’t leave Chelsea just to sit on a bench
Let’s not forget why Liverpool worked so hard to bring him to Anfield in 2024.
Ngumoha had been at Chelsea since childhood, but Liverpool offered him a route towards first-team football that he believed was right for his career.
He has since spoken openly about that decision, explaining that Liverpool felt like the right option because he could see an opportunity to showcase his ability. He has also credited Arne Slot with helping him make the transition into senior football.
That tells us plenty about what matters to him.
Yes, a new contract is important. Yes, the financial security that comes with it matters.
But for a young player with Ngumoha’s ambition, the chance to play football has to be just as important as the length of the deal.
He wants to improve. He wants to compete. And he wants to prove he can become a regular Liverpool player.
The club need to show him that there is a plan for making that happen.
Liverpool have already seen what he can do
I’m not suggesting Ngumoha should automatically start every game because he’s young and exciting.
Nobody should be handed a place purely because of their age.
But he has already given Liverpool plenty of reasons to take him seriously.
His dramatic winner against Newcastle in August 2025 announced him to the Premier League, and he has continued to earn opportunities with the senior squad. He has also progressed to the England senior setup, another significant milestone in his rapid rise.
What I like most is that he doesn’t appear frightened by the occasion.
He wants the ball, takes on defenders and is prepared to try things. That directness is valuable in a Liverpool side that needs players capable of making something happen when opponents are sitting deep.
Of course, there will be difficult games. His decision-making will need to improve, and goals and assists will eventually have to follow more consistently.
That’s normal for an 18-year-old.
The important thing is that Liverpool have a young winger with the confidence to try to make a difference.
Iraola has a big role to play
This is where Andoni Iraola comes into the picture.
A five-year contract would protect Liverpool’s investment, but it won’t mean much to Ngumoha if he cannot see how he fits into the manager’s plans.
Iraola has shown a willingness to use young players, and Liverpool supporters have already seen encouraging signs from Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas. Ngumoha should be part of that same conversation.
He doesn’t need to play 90 minutes every week.
There is a big difference between giving a youngster time to develop and expecting him to carry the attack.
Liverpool can manage his minutes, give him opportunities from the bench and start him in games where his pace and unpredictability could be particularly useful.
But those opportunities need to be meaningful.
If Ngumoha performs well, he should have a chance to keep his place. If he struggles, the manager can help him understand what needs to improve.
That is how young players develop.
The contract matters, but the pathway matters more
Liverpool are right to prioritise this agreement.
Ngumoha’s potential is obvious, and the club will know that other teams are watching his progress. Reports in recent weeks have also linked Arsenal and Bayern Munich with interest in the winger, although Liverpool’s intention is to keep him at Anfield.
But I keep coming back to the same point.
Liverpool cannot simply tell Ngumoha how much they believe in him. They have to demonstrate it.
That means giving him opportunities, being clear about his development and showing that strong performances will be rewarded.
He chose Liverpool because he believed the pathway was there.
Now the club have to make sure that belief continues to be justified.
This could be a huge deal for Liverpool’s future
I would love to see Ngumoha sign a new five-year contract.
He is exciting to watch, he has enormous potential and I think Liverpool could have a special player on their hands if his development continues in the right direction.
But the biggest part of this story isn’t the number of years on the contract.
It’s whether Liverpool can give him the football he wants.
Ngumoha has already taken a risk by leaving Chelsea to pursue his ambitions at Anfield. Liverpool have rewarded that decision with first-team opportunities, and the next step is making sure he continues to feel that he can progress here.
I don’t expect him to become a superstar overnight. There will be setbacks, frustrating performances and periods when he has to be patient.
That’s football.
But if Liverpool give him a genuine chance to develop, I think he could become an important player for Iraola over the coming years.
Get the contract sorted.
Keep showing him the pathway is real.
And give him the chance to prove just how good he can become.
Because Liverpool didn’t bring Rio Ngumoha to Anfield simply to keep him away from Chelsea. They brought him here because they believe he can become a Liverpool star.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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