Rio Ngumoha was the star as Liverpool’s second string won their first friendly against Athletic Club 4-1, asking more questions of his role this season.

It took Ngumoha just two minutes to net his third goal of pre-season: another stunning solo effort that saw him bend the ball into the far corner from range.

The 17-year-old then laid on Liverpool’s second of the evening in the fifth minute, showing the awareness to nod Ben Doak‘s cross down for Darwin Nunez to finish.

Ngumoha has been one of the standout performers in pre-season and this time out he could show his quality at Anfield, dazzling those watching on in the stadium and at home.

His display in Liverpool’s 4-1 win led many to call for a first-team role in 2025/26.

You could do a hell of a lot worse than Rio Ngumoha and Ben Doak as your backup attackers this season

— Tom Little (@TomL1ttle_) August 4, 2025

Yeah Rio seriously needs to be involved in match day squads frequently, he’s seriously an unbelievable talent

— ???? ????? (@LFC_Jota20) August 4, 2025

“It’s now three goals and two assists for Rio in five outings. The kid has to be considered for first minutes this season.”

– TheMainMan in the comments.

It’s only pre season and not a full Bilbao team, but Rio’s trajectory is such that the caveat could soon become “it’s only a bottom half PL team or it’s only the League Cup.”

— John O’Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) August 4, 2025

What a player we have on our hands with Rio. Wow wow wow.

— Abigail Rudkin (@rudkin_abigail) August 4, 2025

Rio Ngumoha is him. End of.

— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) August 4, 2025

Rio Ngumoha, the world is YOURS

— ? (@TheImmortalKop) August 4, 2025

Yeah this has been ridiculous. A pair of kids just having fun with the 4th placed La Liga side. https://t.co/bzwQiEg4Rd

— Lewis Bower (@LewisBower2021) August 4, 2025

“Rio looks so ready man. Surely it isn’t just pre-season highs…definitely good enough for cup matches and probably PL ones as a sub too.”

– Abyss in the comments.

Chelsea banned Liverpool scouts from attending their youth games after we signed Rio Ngumoha and I honestly don’t blame them ?

— – (@AnfieldRd96) August 4, 2025

WTF, Ngumoha.

Chelsea, you may have done another KdB, Salah etc.

— Dinesh Kumar (@DHardayal) August 4, 2025

So this is how Barça fans felt watching Yamal break through at a young age. Rio Nguhoma is the future of this football club

— pAuLfC (@LFC_PAUL_) August 4, 2025

Rio Ngumoha & Trey Nyoni to the entire squad pic.twitter.com/DXG3yyidmx

— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) August 4, 2025

It is often easy to get carried away with performances in pre-season full-stop, and not least those of the young players called up to fill out the squad.

But in a summer that has seen the majority of Arne Slot‘s key players involved from day one, Ngumoha has managed to stand out along with fellow youngsters Doak, Trey Nyoni and Luca Stephenson.

Whether it translates to a regular role in the senior squad in the campaign proper remains to be seen, but there are strong signs that will be the case.

If Ngumoha can continue to play with the freedom and fearlessness as he has when the competitive games start, there will be no holding him back.

No wonder Chelsea were so frustrated at losing him so cheaply last summer.