Coming off the bench in the second half of Liverpool’s 3:00 p.m. BST kickoff, Rio Ngumoha impressed with incredible body movement and fluid footwork, skillfully maneuvering past two Preston defenders using quick touches and clever feints. His dazzling solo run ended with a curling shot that narrowly missed the top corner, sending fans into a frenzy both in the stadium and online. Many hailed the 16-year-old as a “future Ballon d’Or winner” and Liverpool’s “next big thing.”
Ngumoha, who arrived from Chelsea’s academy in 2024, was handed a rare opportunity by manager Arne Slot, who used the game to experiment with youth and recent signings like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong. The winger’s standout moment came in the 68th minute, with Liverpool already 1-0 up thanks to a Cody Gakpo goal. His balance, low center of gravity, and tight ball control drew comparisons to Sadio Mané and even prompted one fan to describe his run as “Lamine Yamal-esque.”
The match carried added emotional weight, coming after a tribute to the late Diogo Jota, which included a minute’s silence and a hologram honoring the former forward. Ngumoha’s lively performance helped lift the mood, earning praise from Slot, who said, “Rio showed he’s fearless. That’s exactly what we want from our young talents.”
Although he didn’t score, Ngumoha’s display reaffirmed the strength of Liverpool’s academy—a key asset during a time of transition following Jota’s passing and the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Supporters flooded social media, calling for Ngumoha to be included in the upcoming Asia tour and the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace on August 10.
Despite failing to find the net, Ngumoha’s spark brought fresh energy to a match where Liverpool trialed a 3-4-3 formation against a tough Preston side. Alongside fellow prospect James McConnell, Ngumoha’s cameo highlighted the depth Arne Slot is building ahead of what promises to be a challenging Premier League title defense. While the spotlight remained on Jota’s tribute and the club’s new arrivals, the teenager’s near-goal became one of the day’s biggest talking points, igniting hopes of a bright future at Anfield.
