Photo: Timmy96 / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
Rio Ngumoha has said he wants to establish himself as a regular starter at Liverpool this season, following a breakthrough campaign in which he made 29 appearances for the club.
The 17-year-old forward became the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool's history with a stoppage-time winner away at Newcastle United in 2025-26, and earned a senior England call-up ahead of a pre-World Cup training camp.
Ngumoha played half a game for England against New Zealand in June. He described the experience as one he would not forget. "It was crazy, to be fair. I got there, met everyone, training was top, and I got to play. It was an unreal experience I will never forget," he said.
Reflecting on his club season, the forward said the dressing room's acceptance had been a key factor in his development. "At the start, they just knew me as an exciting young player that's coming up. But now I feel like they really see me as one of them," Ngumoha said.
He identified goals, assists, and defensive output as areas requiring improvement in the coming season. Competing for a place in a squad with significant attacking depth, he said the internal competition was healthy.
Ngumoha also indicated he is developing as an option on the right flank, having been deployed there by England and in pre-season training. "Everyone knows I can play on the left, but on the right I feel like I'm improving and I'm getting better," he said.
Liverpool are currently in pre-season, with the squad training in Chicago ahead of the new campaign.