Liverpool want to lock down Rio Ngumoha for the long haul.
Fabrizio Romano, speaking after Tuesday’s 4-3 Champions League comeback against Villarreal, reported that the club and the teenager are in “active conversations” over a new deal and that the player himself is open to staying.
“Liverpool want Rio, absolutely, to be a big part of their future,” Romano said of the talks, with Ngumoha’s current contract running until June 2028.
The 18-year-old’s night at Anfield is what pushed the extension to the top of the pile. Starting on the right, Ngumoha set up Ronald Araujo’s equaliser deep in first-half injury time and then teed up Alexis Mac Allister for the goal that put Liverpool in front just after the hour, before being withdrawn in the 74th minute to a standing ovation.
Aged 18 years and 52 days, he became the youngest player in Liverpool’s history to register a Champions League assist. He also became the third-youngest player ever to deliver multiple assists in a Champions League match, behind only Warren Zaire-Emery and Theo Walcott.
‘The best club in the world’
Ngumoha earned the UEFA Player of the Match award and, according to Romano, told reporters afterwards that this “is the best club in the world” and that breaking records at Anfield “feels absolutely special”.
Asked directly about his future, the winger kept the tone light but clear.
“It’s all with my agent now. I think it is all going well. I am not too sure. I just let the football do the talking, I enjoy playing, and all of that is in the back of my mind. I just play for Liverpool, and hopefully I can carry on doing well.”
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Romano reported that sporting director Julian Ward, reappointed to the role on 26 September, has made extending Ngumoha one of his priorities since returning to the club.
Bayern and Arsenal on alert
Interest from abroad is real but, so far, has run into a wall. Romano said Bayern Munich and other European clubs have been monitoring Ngumoha for months, with Arsenal also tracking the situation.
“In the summer, the player was never for sale,” Romano said. “So it was never a possibility to see Rio Ngumoha leaving Liverpool.”
Iraola praises Ngumoha’s growth on the right
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, who took over at Anfield after Arne Slot’s departure in May, used his post-match comments to point to the quieter work behind Ngumoha’s headline moments.
“I’m really happy with Rio. He’s trying to improve everything that we try to correct. He is playing a lot more on the right and he has adapted well. He’s becoming a more complete player. He’s still only 18.”
Alexis Mac Allister, the beneficiary of the second assist, was more direct about the impact on the night.
“Rio was amazing tonight, he made the difference. He was really important and I’m glad for him.”
Liverpool next host Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday, with Ngumoha in line to keep his place in the matchday squad.
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