Liverpool’s squad for the first half of the 2024-2025 season, after the summer transfer window, features five promising young talents of Nigerian heritage: Emmanuel Airoboma (17), Louis Enahoro-Marcus (18), Lucky Omoruyi (18), Rio Ngumoha (16), and Folami Onanuga (18). These players are all eligible for the U21 team, as those under 21 do not count against the Premier League’s 25-man squad limit.
Rio Ngumoha, who recently joined from Chelsea, has started with Liverpool’s U18s. Despite being new, he has already trained with the first team during the international break and also with the development squad. His transfer followed a thorough five-step review process.
Onanuga and Omoruyi, who signed their first professional contracts last season, are continuing their growth at the club. Enahoro-Marcus, a central defender from Benin City, and Airoboma, a midfielder, are in their second year as scholars with Liverpool’s academy. All four have made appearances in the U18 Premier League, demonstrating their potential.
Although none have yet been named in a Premier League matchday squad, they represent Liverpool’s new wave of talent, aiming to follow in the footsteps of previous academy graduates like Jordon Ibe, Sheyi Ojo, and Ovie Ejaria, who transitioned from youth teams to the Premier League.
Their inclusion underscores Liverpool’s dedication to developing and integrating young talent from their academy, preparing them for future top-level opportunities.
