It could be risky to rely on teenager Rio Ngumoha as a backup option to Cody Gakpo in the coming season, Liverpool expert David Lynch has argued.
The Reds took on Athletic Bilbao in two pre-season friendlies on Monday, their final matches before they take on Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on August 10, and Ngumoha managed to score and provide an assist in the first clash against the Spanish visitors.
Despite the fact Arne Slot's side have spent close to £300m this summer on reinforcements, including on striker Hugo Ekitike and attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, there are concerns about squad depth in the forward line considering Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich.
The Colombian's exit means Gakpo is the only senior left-winger at the club, and Lynch expressed his view that it could be unwise to rely on Ngumoha as his backup, when he told Sports Mole: "Your Gakpo backup is then Rio Ngumoha, who is brilliant, he's taken great strides, but that's a big ask of him.
"I think at the age of 16 - he will be 17 soon - [it is too much to ask], but on the other side, Frimpong then becomes your Salah backup. Maybe you can use Wirtz off the left, but all of a sudden, one injury and it's starting to shuffle your pack a lot. Is that something you want to do?
"Could Szoboszlai play-wide as well? I think this is fascinating. One of the biggest questions and one of the most interesting aspects of this summer's business for Liverpool is what that forward line ends up looking like, whether they go from six frontline options to four and implement mass rotation."
Liverpool will want to ensure that Ngumoha is not overplayed at such a young age in order to safeguard his long-term future.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrating at Anfield on August 4, 2025
Will Liverpool be finished in the transfer market after signing Isak?
Liverpool are thought to be keen on bringing in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, who they bid £110m earlier in August, though they may have to wait for the Magpies to secure a replacement first.
The Toon are said to be demanding a fee in the region of £150m, and paying such a figure may limit what the club would be able to do in the rest of the window.
Lynch claimed that signing Isak could be the last addition to the forward line, telling Sports Mole: "This is what I'm not sure about. This is a really tough one because the feeling I get from speaking to people is that if they did get Isak over the line, that would be the end of the forward business.
"I don't quite know how that's going to shake out at the moment, it's really interesting. I know there have been links to Rodrygo, but my information on that is that that is very much agent-driven and not something Liverpool are going to pursue.
"The finances on the player side have really put Liverpool off. It doesn't look to me currently like they're going to sign an actual left-winger to replace Diaz. Maybe Isak will be the replacement in some capacity, so to speak."
Liverpool had been credited with an interest in Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, but the price of the deal could be prohibitive should Isak join the Reds.
Alexander Isak in action for Newcastle United on May 25, 2025
Was selling Diaz to Bayern Munich this summer a mistake?
Diaz ended the 2024-25 season with 17 goals and five assists in all competitions, with only Gakpo (24) and Mohamed Salah (57) registering more direct goal involvements for the Merseysiders.
The winger was also used as a false nine at times last season by Slot, and the team could miss his versatility in attack, especially when Salah departs in the winter for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch insisted that the decision to sell Diaz was ultimately correct due to the forward's age and contract situation, saying: "It's one of those where you can say that it is a good deal for all parties.
"From a purely business perspective, for Liverpool to make €25 million profit on the player who is 28, only had two years on his contract, someone you were not able to agree a new contract with despite attempting to do so and someone who had expressed a desire to explore his options, that's a pretty unbelievable deal.
"I think it's okay to take that cold-hearted business decision for all the reasons I mentioned, but you've also got to make sure that the team still functions at a high level despite missing someone who was so crucial last season. That is the job of the sporting director, to make sure that happens."
If Diaz's sale can help fund a move for Newcastle's Isak, then Liverpool will feel that the Colombian's exit was good value.
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