Rio Ngumoha has revealed how Mohamed Salah advised him to "stay alive" late in games in order to fulfil his Liverpool potential. The 17-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Chelsea, has become one of the most exciting teenagers in the Premier League during his time around the first team at Anfield.
England debut and Liverpool form
Ngumoha became the third youngest England international of all time in September, behind only Jude Bellingham and Wayne Rooney, when he featured in a victory over Czechia. This season, the teenager has been an important part of a Liverpool side that is fourth in the Premier League, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie to come next month at home to Bournemouth, and has made 14 appearances so far under Andoni Iraola.
Salah's advice on and off the pitch
Ngumoha played alongside Salah across the course of the 25/26 campaign and, speaking to the club's official website, explained how the Egypt star told him he can make the most of his obvious promise.
"Mo taught me a lot," Ngumoha said. "I think at the start, just watching him score all of his goals, all the records that he's broken, you learn a lot."
"Then you train, then you learn a lot. And when you speak to them – because I think also people forget that footballers are just normal people, they're human beings, so you can come and speak to them about anything – I think once you understand and recognise that, Mo is just really helpful."
"He taught me a lot of things on the pitch but also off the pitch and I'll always thank him for that."
Staying alive in the final minutes
Ngumoha recalled a specific piece of advice from Salah about making the most of his talent. "There was one instance I remember. He was just saying, obviously he knows that I'm talented, but to reach the top, top level, in the last 20 minutes of the game you just have to stay alive, be ahead of everyone, be quicker than everyone and that's where you get the most goals really – when all the defenders are tired."
"You see how many goals he scored, especially in the dying moments of games. I think that's one big thing he taught me."
Ngumoha was a second-half substitute for England on Thursday night as they beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley.
