Rio Ngumoha's emergence for Liverpool is akin to that of Raheem Sterling's, Reds expert David Lynch has insisted.
The Merseysiders played Athletic Bilbao twice on Monday, with the club beating their Spanish opponents 4-1 in the first of their two clashes.
Teenager Rio Ngumoha scored and provided an assist in that match, and his performances for the club in pre-season has astonished supporters, especially as he does not turn 17 until August 29.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch argued that the youngster's rise to the first team is reminiscent of Sterling's, saying: "All of pre-season you try and be responsible about it as a journalist and play down expectations around teenagers, because it's not fair to pile too much on them.
"Yet every time you attempt to do that, he goes and does something absolutely outrageous in the next pre-season game. The fact is, and we're all coming to realise now, is that he is ready to play a role, and there is no need to hold him back. Age is just a number, and the old cliche is if you're good enough, you're old enough.
"I think you've got to start now classifying him, on the basis of this pre-season, as a Raheem Sterling type, a Michael Owen type, who there's just no reason to hold back, because they're ready."
Sterling made his debut for Liverpool aged just 17 years and 107 days in March 2012, and he played 95 times in the Premier League for the Reds before turning 20.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrating at Anfield on August 4, 2025
Why Liverpool do not need a direct Luis Diaz replacement
After having lost Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, many fans thought that the club would look to bring in a direct replacement for the left-winger, with the likes of Rodrygo and Malick Fofana linked.
However, both players could block Ngumoha's pathway to the starting XI, and after impressing in pre-season, it would be unwise to stifle the Englishman's development.
Lynch argued that Liverpool would be able to get by without signing a direct Diaz replacement, when he told Sports Mole: "Liverpool are leaving a clear path open for him. I'd be surprised if another left-winger is sought, despite Luis Diaz leaving. They've still got Cody Gakpo there.
"They clearly think that he's ready, and you don't want to block his path either, so that pathway is there for him to walk through the door and seize the opportunity there for him. It feels like you shouldn't be saying that because of his age, and should be holding him back instead.
"But if it's good enough for Raheem Sterling, if it's good enough for Michael Owen as well, then it feels doable that Ngumoha can do that. He is of that level. He very much reminds me of a Raheem Sterling type, but he's got slightly better ball striking too."
Ngumoha has shown that he is a capable dribbler, and his technical quality - combined with his pace - could make him deadly in the final third.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates scoring on August 4, 2025
How much of a role will Ngumoha have under Arne Slot next season?
Though Ngumoha would undoubtedly be able to contribute to Liverpool's first-team squad, Slot must make sure to not overplay him in order to avoid injuries.
Lamine Yamal has excelled as a teenager for Barcelona, but having played roughly 9,000 minutes for club and country before his 18th birthday, there are concerns that he could suffer injury problems in the next years.
Lynch claimed that the Reds will at the very least look to manage Ngumoha's minutes next season, telling Sports Mole: "It's quite clear already that he's going to have a career that's front loaded for minutes. Everyone has to accept that. If you're this good at 16, that's probably how this is going to go.
"Maybe there's a price to pay further down the line, but that said, Liverpool will be careful. In terms of his role for next season, I did initially think it would be just League Cup minutes, FA Cup minutes, a few starts in those, but there's a clear pathway opening up for him. There's every chance that Nunez and Chiesa follow Diaz out the door.
"Isak could come in to replace them, and if that's the case, Gakpo can't play every minute. You can use Wirtz off the left, but there's an obvious place for Ngumoha to play. He's got the goalscoring threat, he's got the pace, he looks strong for a 16 year old as well. I'd be amazed if he doesn't make a Premier League debut."
If Liverpool sign Alexander Isak, they are likely to only have one senior option on the bench as depth, meaning Ngumoha will almost certainly be needed next term.
> Click here to listen to the full discussion on Rio Ngumoha's place in the Liverpool squad
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