Charlie Adam has praised Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha, describing his compensation fee as a "bargain" and backing the 18-year-old to step up in the wake of Mohamed Salah's departure.
Ngumoha, who joined Liverpool from Chelsea's academy in 2024, has impressed in his debut campaign under Andoni Iraola. The winger has made five top-flight appearances this season and played a key role in Tuesday's 4-3 Champions League win against Villarreal, providing two assists.
Adam's Verdict on Ngumoha's Fee
Speaking on the In The Mixer podcast, Adam, who made 37 appearances for Liverpool, said: "We talk about not hyping him up, but why not? I look at that £6.8m or £7m now from Chelsea in terms of the transfer fee - it's a bargain, isn't it?"
Because Ngumoha was 16 when he moved, no standard transfer fee was agreed. The Premier League ratified the move, and a Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) tribunal ruled that Liverpool pay an initial £2.8m, rising to £6.8m with add-ons.
Life After Salah
Adam added: "He's a young kid that I've watched for a couple of years now. I feel he was better off the left, but now he's been able to get that position on the right-hand side… He'll never replace Mo Salah. Nobody will ever replace Mo Salah. I think that was probably the first half of the season here, where Liverpool think, 'What about Mo Salah?' But he's gone. You need to move on and you need to move on quickly. The boy has got talent. Ultimately, it's just about finding the right moment."
Ngumoha scored his first Liverpool goal in August - a 100th-minute stoppage-time winner against Newcastle - and has made four starts and 15 appearances from the bench since his breakout campaign under Arne Slot.
Agbonlahor's Take
Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor, also on the podcast, said: "Ngumoha has got a lot to learn. But when you break through at a young age, you learn from every game: 'Should I pass? Should I do a one-two? When is it time to take a player on?' He'll learn all that, every game."
Adam concluded: "We use young players like [Max] Dowman at Arsenal, Ngumoha, we have to use these young players at the right time and in the right moments. It was a special occasion [against Villarreal]."
