Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has revealed he has known Rio Ngumoha since he was seven years old, saying his potential was “obvious” even at an early age.
Ngumoha produced a player-of-the-match display against Fulham on Saturday, opening the scoring in style and staking a claim to start against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old looks like one of the world’s most promising young players, proving to be a rare positive in a largely disappointing season at Liverpool.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp discussed his admiration for the winger, revealing that he has known him for a decade since his Chelsea days.
“The potential was obvious, everyone could see it,” Redknapp said.
“He had that sort of natural X-Factor – he was at Chelsea at the same sort of time as my younger son and they used to train together in the same group.
“It was quite staggering to see so quickly.
“His brother, who played a big part in his career, certainly his development, used to do a lot of one-on-one coaching with him.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha applauds the Anfield crowd as he is substituted off during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“He came over to my house a few times and I just watched how he worked with Rio, and I’ve never seen a kid with such fast feet.
“But it was repetition after repetition, and we speak so much now about a lot of these players perhaps don’t get enough training at their own clubs.
“They do it with one-on-one coaches and there’d be probably nobody better, or nobody knows him better, than his older brother.
“So they worked extremely well together.”
Redknapp further went on to discuss Ngumoha making the grade at Liverpool, comparing him to himself when he arrived from Bournemouth in the early 1990s.
“It’s a tough environment, I did it myself as a 17-year-old when I signed for Liverpool and I’m thankful for every day that I did it,” he added.
“He’s doing extremely well, he’s got to keep his head on his shoulders, keep working hard. He’s got great experienced players like Andy Robertson around him.
“I’m delighted. He’s a really good young man – I’ve known him since he was seven, so to see him now doing interviews makes you feel a bit old!”
Should Rio Ngumoha start for Liverpool vs. PSG?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha celebrates with team-mate captain Virgil van Dijk (R) after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ngumoha’s performance against Fulham will only make the calls for him to start at home to PSG louder, and it’s hard to argue against it.
He looks like a more potent wide option than Cody Gakpo and even Mohamed Salah, providing more pace and directness, and his fearless approach could strike fear into PSG.
Arne Slot will surely be considering handing him a start, but equally, there is a chance that Florian Wirtz switches back to a left-sided role.
That would allow Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to make up the midfield, giving Liverpool more solidity against world-class opponents.
But on nights like these, boldness is required, and starting Ngumoha would be a positive move.
He couldn’t have done much more in the win over Fulham to show Slot that he merits a place in the XI on one of the biggest nights of the season.