Why everyone is talking about Liverpool’s 16-year-old dubbed ‘Rionel Messi’

Remember the name. Rio Ngumoha. 

Even before the friendly win over Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday, Liverpool’s 16-year-old forward Rio Ngumoha was being touted as a generational talent.

His fantastic solo goal in the 3-1 victory has sent fans into overdrive, but the maturity shown beyond his years will come as no surprise to those inside Anfield.

Ngumoha, dubbed ‘Rionel Messi’, was signed from Chelsea last summer - ironic given spending at Stamford Bridge on forward players in the last few years - a signing which angered the Blues and even resulted in Liverpool scouts being banned from matches at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, according to The Times.

Chelsea legend John Terry even remarked after he left: “This boy is — and will be — a top, top player.”

Fans were waxing lyrical about Ngumoha on Wednesday, with one saying: “You really try to careful about overhyping a 16-year-old and putting too much pressure on their shoulders, but what are you supposed to do when talking about Rio Ngumoha? This kid is absolutely remarkable.

Another said: “Chelsea don’t make many mistakes in the transfer market, but by selling Rio Ngumoha to Liverpool, they have made an epic fail.

“This kid is going to terrorise Premier League defences for at least a decade.”

Will Ngumoha go out on loan?

Ngumoha’s performance is timely given the recent departure of Luis Diaz, and though the youngster is yet to sign a professional deal at Anfield, that is an inevitability after he turns 17. 

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is keen to keep his feet on the ground, even picking holes in Ngumoha’s performance after the game.

Slot said: “It’s always nice to see young players from 16, 17, or 18 years old already impacting a game. But there was also a moment in the game where he should have squared it to Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) or Curtis (Jones). 

“So (there are) also learning points for him—but if you’re 16 and can impact a game like he did, that’s definitely worth a compliment.”

There is a chance Ngumoha will be sent on loan this season, like many Liverpool youngsters before him, but attention in the short term at least turns to their next friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Monday.