Reliable journalist Paul Joyce has assessed Liverpool’s potential pursuit of wing pair Bradley Barcola and Malick Fofana this summer.
The exits of Luis Diaz and Ben Doak have arguably left the Reds looking light in wide attacking areas, even though it looks as if Federico Chiesa will now stay put.
Despite this, there is still every chance that Liverpool won’t add any depth in that position, not least because of the emergence of Rio Ngumoha this summer.
The 16-year-old enjoyed an eye-catching pre-season, scoring twice and emerging as one of the Reds’ most exciting youth products in some time.
Now, The Times‘ Joyce reports that Ngumoha has impressed those at the club so much that “Liverpool have said they would rather create a pathway for him than sign Bradley Barcola or Malick Fofana”, highlighting how much faith they have in him.
Is it right for Liverpool to rely on Ngumoha?
It is always refreshing to see Liverpool show such faith in youth, but there is also a risk in them not moving for the likes of Barcola and Fofana, both of whom are exciting young wingers in their own right who are more experienced than the Reds teenager.
It says a lot about just how much the Reds rate the Englishman, however, with Andy Robertson well aware of what a huge talent he is:
“He’s not bad, is he? He’s a good kid as well and he’s got a fantastic head on his shoulders.Especially when he’s got people like Mo [Salah] and things like that that can help him so much. We always try and help him because he’s a good kid. I mean, and Trey [Nyoni], they’re so young but they’re such good kids and they’ve got a hell of a future for them. You can just see them coming on every time and the more they train with us, the more they play with us, they just get better and better.”
To expect a 16-year-old to be a fixture in Liverpool’s squad is a big ask, but Ngumoha is a special talent, and it is going to be thrilling to watch his development.
The hope is that he enjoys a rise similar to that of Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, and Raheem Sterling before him, emerging from the youth team to become a star at Anfield.