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By MICHAEL PAVITT, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 02: 14 AEST, 5 August 2025 | Updated: 07: 38 AEST, 5 August 2025 112 View comments Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha maintained his impressive pre-season form by opening the scoring within two minutes of his Anfield debut. Ngumoha has already caught the eye for the Premier League champions during their build-up to the new season. The teenager, 16, had netted with a solo effort in their pre-season victory over Yokohama Marinos on their Far East tour last week. Ngumoha displayed his potential again during the first of Liverpol's two matches against Athletic Club on Monday afternoon. The midfielder drove with the ball towards the Athletic Club goal, after receiving it on the halfway line. Ngumoha then preceded to open his body and curl a right footed effort into the bottom corner of the net. Opening the scoring in style ? pic. twitter. com/Ywzn ENm6Cn Rio Ngumoha opened the scoring for Liverpool against Athletic Club with a fine solo effort The 16-year-old netted in the second minute of the match with a driving run and curled finish Ngumoha has enjoyed an eye-catching pre-season which has earned praise from Arne Slot Ngumoha was congratulated by his team-mates after sliding towards the corner flag in celebration. Liverpool fans were quick to heap praise on the teenager, with many suggesting he could make an impact for the first team this season. 'Rio Ngumoha needs to be in the squad for the season. Used for the cup games, ' one wrote. 'Looks like an exciting talent but hopefully he will be managed well. ' 'Rio deserves a place in the first team. He’s shown maturity beyond his years and proved he can deliver when given the chance, ' another said. 'This kid is ready to take the league by storm. ' A third wrote: 'Love to see this, his got a high ceiling. .. but need to manage him well for future. ' Another declared 'I've seen enough of this kid. He's ready. ' His impressive start to the match continued as Ngumoha then provided an assist for Darwin Nunez to double Liverpool's lead in the fifth minute. Ngumoha nodded a cross into the Uruguayan's path, with the forward flicking beyond the goalkeeper to put Arne Slot's side 2-0 up. Liverpool fans were quick to heap praise on Ngumoha following his impressive opener Slot had praised the winger for his impact during matches on Liverpool's tour, after he impressed against AC Milan and Yokohama Marinos. ‘If you are 16 and you can impact games in the way Rio does, it is worth a compliment, ’ Slot said last week. Mail Sport reported how Mohamed Salah has been offering his advice to Ngumoha on how he can improve further. Ngumoha, who Liverpool signed from Chelsea last summer, is currently the back-up to Cody Gakpo on the left wing as it stands. It follows the departure of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for £65. 5m last week.
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