Andoni Iraola has warned against overhyping Rio Ngumoha but believes the 18-year-old has the right temperament to handle his rapid rise with Liverpool and England.
Ngumoha became the third youngest England international of all time in a competitive game, behind only Jude Bellingham and Wayne Rooney, when he featured in a 2-0 win over Czechia last month at the age of 18 years and 31 days.
Champions League display and contract talks
The teenager has since built on that at club level, starring in Tuesday night's 4-3 win over Villarreal in the Champions League with assists for Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister. Liverpool is currently in talks with his representatives over a new and improved deal at Anfield.
Ngumoha has adapted admirably to a change in position under Iraola, with the winger operating largely off the right side following the £123m capture of Bradley Barcola in August.
Iraola's cautious approach
While the Reds boss is enthusiastic about helping the player reach his full potential, he has advised people cannot get too carried away just yet.
"I found that for me, Rio is very coachable. He pays attention, he listens to every information we give," Iraola said ahead of Sunday's visit from Brighton & Hove Albion.
"Already the club was working with Rio, with a lot of young players that are there in between, doing a lot of individual work, even in moments where he wasn't playing, putting individual clips, doing individual sessions, things that we think he can improve, and we are continuing this process.
"We haven't done anything super special with him. It's like let's give him confidence, continue the process and he is the one adding a lot to his game."
Handling the spotlight
Iraola noted that Ngumoha has not been overly affected by external attention. "I haven't felt that he's very affected, positively or negatively, by the things they talk about him. I think he's very focused on the football side, of improving his performances, of trying to get the things that we need from him.
"I think it definitely helps him, it's not easy when you are 18 and everyone is talking about you, but he knows, I think, that what matters is what is happening today in training, the things that he can add to his game, and I think he's very focused there."
The Liverpool boss stressed the need to manage expectations. "Definitely I feel lucky to have him, but I think there is also a moment where we cannot also, just because he has played well, put the expectation straight away super high because it's not fair for him.
"Because he will have to still make mistakes, he will have his moments up and down, and this is a natural process that every player goes through. So we cannot straight away put the demands in Rio that are impossible to beat.
"It's like we have to go helping him in this process, knowing that he will have good games, but also he will have games where probably he's not so good."
Iraola, who is looking to secure a first Premier League win at Anfield when the third-place Seagulls arrive on Merseyside this weekend, added: "I think every player has to focus on performances, on keeping doing well and improve the things he can improve.
"The outside noise, when it's good, when it's bad I think it affects - obviously - but we have to not be affected by those things.
"You continue to do your job, as good as you can, try to improve the things you can improve and don't be too affected from the things you can hear.
"When you do well they are going to praise you, when you do bad they are going to be critics but don't let those things affect too much the performance, which in the end is the most important thing."
