“Don’t rush him.” John Barnes sends a definitive message to England chiefs over the future of Liverpool’s teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha.
Liverpool wonderkid, Rio Ngumoha, picked up another man of the match award, but this time it was for his country.
The teenager travelled to North America for England’s friendlies ahead of the World Cup as they took on New Zealand. The winger came on as a substitute at the start of the second half, where he displayed confidence once again.
Ngumoha will leave the squad on Saturday before getting the summer off ahead of what’s expected to be a big season for him with the new Reds boss, Andoni Iraola. However, Three Lions supporters are asking for the 17-year-old to be called up to the first team squad.
He only started five Premier League games last season for Liverpool, and with the fixtures coming thick and fast, it would be too early for Ngumoha at this stage. A former Red believes that he should be given the time to grow before he’s in the England picture.
John Barnes on Rio Ngumoha
John Barnes is a man who knows a thing or two about representing England while playing for the Merseyside outfit. The 1990 World Cup was a monumental moment for the country as they reached the semi-finals, the furthest they had advanced since their success in 1966. This time around, they want to go one further under Thomas Tuchel, as they look to bring football home.
The German has faced criticism for not calling up Ngumoha for the first team squad, but Barnes believes it’s a smart decision. Speaking with talkSPORT, the 62-year-old said, “Leave him alone, let him develop”
“So until he gets in Liverpool’s team consistently and plays well, don’t put the pressure on him.
“That’s why I’m glad he never played a lot last year in a Liverpool team that may not have been doing well.”
Arne Slot faced scrutiny from Kopites for the lack of minutes their attacking youngster received, but it could be beneficial. Saving him from such an intense season, where the team was underperforming, may have kept that confidence in him. The pressure was put on him early after Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich, and a replacement was discovered. Add in Cody Gakpo’s challenging season, and it immediately became clear that Nguomha was their answer.
However, his minutes were still limited, and it could help him maintain fitness and avoid injuries over the coming years. Fans wanted to see more from one of the young superstars they have admired in their ranks, but it could be a great sign for the future. Barnes believes there is one piece necessary to be in the England squad.
“If you’re not playing for Liverpool regularly, why are you going to be playing for England?”
Big Liverpool season ahead
Ngumoha has shown signs that he has a future in his national team squad, but now it’s about continuing his improvement. Under his new Spanish boss, pre-season will give a good indication of whether he is getting a bigger role. Liverpool have been linked with Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande as wing options this summer. The latter is discussed as Mohamed Salah’s replacement, though the Frenchman has operated off the left for Paris Saint-Germain.
Gakpo signed a new deal at Anfield last summer to make sure he retains his place at the club. There’s optimism that Alexander Isak can overcome fitness issues with Hugo Ekitike out for several months. With the majority of the first team squad at the World Cup, this gives a chance to players like Ngumoha to get in Iraola’s good book. His talent is clear, and now it’s time for the coaching staff to put him on the platform. The Euros take place across the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2028. A tournament Ngumoha could set alight if his development continues as expected.
