Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha has revealed how training alongside Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka has helped him develop, with the 18-year-old embracing a more versatile role under Andoni Iraola.
Ngumoha, who is learning to play on both wings, said his time with England offered another opportunity to improve, both by playing on the right and by watching established wingers up close.
Learning from top wingers
"Playing on the right was good for England but also watching the likes of Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka; they are top, top wingers, so training with them every day and just seeing what they do, that can really help me," Ngumoha said. "I take some of the stuff they tell me on board and it is really helpful."
Ngumoha believes becoming comfortable on either side can make him harder for opponents to predict. "I think it gives me a bit of unpredictability," he explained. "So if teams see me playing, they might think I am on the left but I can offer something different on the right. I think at a young age, being able to play off the right or the opposite side and be unpredictable, I think that is something that is really key, and I am enjoying it."
Adaptability in Brentford comeback
That adaptability proved useful in Liverpool's comeback win over Brentford. Yehor Yarmoliuk's red card was a turning point, but Iraola also made a bold adjustment when Jeremie Frimpong went down just moments after coming on.
Rather than introduce Joe Gomez, Iraola sent on Ngumoha and moved Spanish forward Victor Munoz to full-back. Munoz scored the equaliser before Alexander Isak struck, with Ngumoha helping Liverpool get the result over the line.
Speaking afterwards, the teenager made clear how much he is enjoying the challenge of broadening his game. "My season is going well," Ngumoha said. "As you say, I'm playing off the left and the right; I'm improving, working hard and it's been good."
Iraola's instructions and competition
Alongside the lessons learned from Gordon and Saka, Ngumoha has clear instructions from his club manager about what to offer with and without the ball. "(Iraola) just wants me to take on the player in the one-v-one duels; he wants me to be a threatening player. But off the ball, he just wants me to help the team however I can. Whether it is about me pressing, working the full-backs, whatever it is, I am just taking on what he is saying and looking to improve. I am enjoying working with him and enjoying improving."
Bradley Barcola's arrival this summer has added competition, but Ngumoha is also learning from the Frenchman and his other Liverpool team-mates. "The good thing about all of us is we can all play on both the left and the right side, so I think it is always healthy competition at this club, at the end of the day," he added.
Now 18, Ngumoha can sign a long-term contract with Liverpool, although he is leaving those matters to his agent while concentrating on his football. "To be fair, that is all with my agent now," he said. "I think it is all going well. I am not too sure. I just let the football do the talking at the end of the day. I enjoy playing and all of that stuff is in the back of my mind really. I just play for the club, play for Liverpool, and hopefully I can carry on doing well."
