One of the most exciting elements of any pre-season at Liverpool is seeing young talent from within the academy get a chance in the first team
Liverpool have enjoyed real success in recent years when it comes to bringing through academy talent, and while the 2025 season may look a little different under Arne Slot, some young players are still expected to get their shot.
Unlike last summer, Slot now has the luxury of almost a full senior squad available as pre-season kicks off. That means there may be fewer minutes going to the academy lads early on, but a few names will still be included in the mix—and one of those is Rio Ngumoha.
Ngumoha, who joined from Chelsea in a highly talked-about move last summer, has quickly caught the eye at Liverpool. He made his debut for the first team back in January and impressed with his maturity and technical ability, especially considering he was just 16.
Now, according to journalist David Lynch, the winger is set to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 in August. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Lynch shared that the club clearly sees Ngumoha as part of their long-term plans.
“It’s clear he’s being groomed for a bigger role going forward, and these [pre-season] games are chances for him to impress,” Lynch said. “He’s turning 17 soon, coming into that age bracket, and I expect he’ll sign a first professional contract. That announcement is very, very likely to come soon.”
While no one is expecting Ngumoha to suddenly rack up 20+ appearances this season, he’s certainly building momentum. And with the right pathway, there’s every chance he continues that development into a more permanent first-team role.
That’s why the Luis Diaz situation is one to watch from Ngumoha’s point of view. The teenager left Chelsea because he couldn’t see a clear route into their senior setup. At Liverpool, he’s already made his debut—but to go further, he’ll need more than just potential. He’ll need opportunity.
With Bayern Munich and Barcelona still circling Diaz, a move for the Colombian would open up more space in Liverpool’s forward line. If that happens, Ngumoha’s path to more game time next season could suddenly become a lot clearer.