---
title: "‘Cunning’ – Rafa Benitez blown away by ‘ruthless’ Liverpool attacker"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/cunning-rafa-benitez-blown-away-by-ruthless-liverpool-attacker/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Vishal Subramanian"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2026-10-21T07:50:21Z"
modified: "2026-10-21T07:50:22Z"
---

# ‘Cunning’ – Rafa Benitez blown away by ‘ruthless’ Liverpool attacker

**It was another happy European outing for Liverpool under Andoni Iraola as they secured a 4-3 UEFA Champions League win against Villarreal.**

After the away side raced to a two-goal lead in the first half, the Reds struck back through Alexis Mac Allister and Ronald Araujo before the break.

Stationed as a right-winger, Ngumoha supplied the assist for Araujo’s goal and did the same for Alexis Mac Allister after the interval to cap off a fine display.

And Rafa Benitez feels the England international was absolutely ruthless on the night against a hapless Villarreal defence.

## Rafa Benitez lauds Liverpool forward Rio Ngumoha

“I saw \[Rio Ngumoha\] before, and to be fair today he was much better \[tonight\],” said the former Liverpool boss via Amazon Prime.

“The last game that I saw him, he wasn’t passing players so easily; today he was ruthless, he was cunning, and he was passing players.

[Andoni Iraola heaps praise on RIO NGUMOHA after Liverpool comeback win against Villarreal 🤩📈 (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/pfdbQiSOM2I?feature=oembed)

“You talk about his position on the left side and the right side. I think on the right side he can pass players wide, and if you go wide you cannot cover, so he can make crosses, he can make passes.

“Maybe he’ll score less goals but I think he can make a difference.”

Ngumoha played one of his best games of the season and is really enjoying life under Iraola, having also been capped by England recently. Long may it continue!