Rio Ngumoha has outlined how he intends to improve this season while indicating he is ready to provide an answer to Liverpool's right-wing problem.
The 17-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last term, becoming the Reds' youngest-ever goalscorer when netting the winner at Newcastle United last August and going on to make 29 appearances in all competitions including starting the last three games on the left flank.
New-look forward line
Ngumoha will form part of a revamped forward line under new head coach Andoni Iraola with Mohamed Salah having departed and Spain World Cup winner Victor Munoz arriving from Osasuna for £34.5million.
Iraola this week confirmed Liverpool remain in the market for a new right-winger to replace Salah having thus far failed to lure Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Ngumoha's versatility
And Ngumoha - who is with the Reds squad in Chicago for their three-game US tour - has indicated he can do a job on the right.
Asked for his aims this coming season, the teenager said: "Definitely help the team out with goals and assists, but also my defensive actions as well. I’ve got to improve in both of them, but also just try to implement myself as a starter sometimes.
"Coming off the bench as well, because obviously we have so many top players, we’re all competing for places. But it’s healthy competition. Just try to help the team as much as I can, really.
"I think being unpredictable off both sides is key. Obviously, everyone knows I can play on the left, but on the right I feel like I’m improving and I’m getting better. So, yeah, definitely off the left and the right this season."
England call-up
Ngumoha's progress saw him rewarded with a call up to the England training camp ahead of the recent World Cup, where his performances were sufficient for Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel to make him the fifth youngest player to feature for the senior national team with a 45-minute outing in the friendly win over New Zealand in early June.
"It was crazy, to be fair," said the Liverpool youngster. "I got the call-up just before the last game of the season, the technical director of the FA texted me saying ‘I need to chat with you’.
"And then he just told me I’m going to be in the training camp, which is good. Then I got there, then met everyone, training was top, and I got to play. It was an unreal experience I will never forget.
"I knew that there was no pressure from my side so I could just go out there and express myself and enjoy the occasion."
Support from teammates and fans
Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, Ngumoha also highlighted how he is now viewed by the senior Liverpool players and praised the support he has received from the Anfield fanbase.
"At the start, they (the squad) just knew me as an exciting young player that’s coming up," he said. "But now I feel like they really see me as one of them, even though I’m still young and they also treat me as a young player, they also treat me like one of them as well.
"It was very good last season, obviously not from the team point of view, but I experienced a lot and gained a lot of experience last season.
"The fans are amazing. For me, the best fans in the world, without a doubt, and I love them. They love the team and they always come to the games and support the players and support me, so I’m so grateful for that."
