Liverpool

Federico Chiesa might have scored his first goal for the Merseysiders on the weekend, but it was Ngumoha who captured headlines, starting on the left side of attack despite being just 16 years and 135 days old.

The teenager tired the longer the game went on, but his electric dribbling and interplay with teammates caught the eye, and Reds fans have been wondering if they saw a glimpse of a future starter.

Lynch believes that Liverpool have every reason to be excited, telling Sports Mole: "I thought Ngumoha was fantastic down that left-hand side. I was surprised to see him start - I was a little worried there was a bit of pressure being put on him since he made that move from Chelsea, with the talk that he might make his debut this season.

"But he gets his chance, which comes because Chiesa had been ill [for a] couple of days in the build-up - he would have started otherwise. [Ngumoha] didn't look out of place at all. His dribbling was fantastic, his close control, he barely gave the ball away, gets a couple of shots away. Just loads to be encouraged about, especially if you consider he's only a couple of months into being 16 years old.

"I think there's a real acknowledgement that he is one of the biggest talents in English football at the moment, and now Liverpool have got him, and the major positives in using him - obviously it's a great day for him and he impressed and that's brilliant - [is that] it justifies his move immediately."

It was reported that Ngumoha made the decision to move to Merseyside from Chelsea on the basis that there would be a pathway to the first team, and given he became the youngest Liverpool player to appear in the FA Cup, it looks as if the club are determined to give him opportunities.

Does Ngumoha have a clear pathway?

The Reds had been linked with left-sided attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but it seems like the forward is close to joining Paris Saint-Germain.

As for the Reds' current options at left-wing, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo have both performed well for the club, but Diaz's future remains uncertain given he is now 28 and has a little over two years left on his contract, while Gakpo has still not nailed down a starting role on the left.

When speaking to Sports Mole about Ngumoha's future at Anfield, Lynch was keen to highlight that Liverpool have ensured that youngsters have the opportunity to express their talents, saying: "Liverpool have really refocused on getting in domestic talent since the Brexit rules came in and they couldn't get Stefan Bajcetic types in anymore, they couldn't make those transfers of the 16-year-olds.

"Using Rio - Trey Nyoni has had minutes, Nallo is in and around the first team - these are all players who've been taken from clubs who are in the Premier League. Look at Chelsea, for starters - they're buying players left, right and centre, and Ngumoha felt that he had to leave for that reason. Manchester City lost Cole Palmer - there's so many examples of players who could have been in and around their first team.

"Not just Palmer, but there's several. Harwood Bellis is another one. There's loads who could have helped them out this season that they don't have - Romeo Lavia. So Liverpool [are building a reputation] - if you're a young talent wanting to take that next step, and you want a clear pathway to the first team that you can earn, then it's a good club to join."

Liverpool's only first-team addition in the summer was Chiesa and they have been quite reserved in the transfer market compared to their opponents, opening up spaces in the squad for young talent to break through.

What could Ngumoha become?

It is critically important that Ngumoha is given the time and patience needed to develop into the player that his talent promises he can be.

Some might point to Barcelona's Lamine Yamal as an example of a teenager shining on the biggest stages, but Yamal's exploits are unique, and few players in the modern history of the sport have been as impactful as the 17-year-old at his age.

Ngumoha is still some way from being able to compete against physically stronger defenders, but Lynch told Sports Mole that there is no doubt he will develop in that regard as he ages.

Lynch said: "He is really young, so we mustn't forget that. I don't think this means he gets his debut now that we're going to see loads of him between now and the end of the season, or even loads of him next season. He's got to grow, he's got to fill out. He's got a lot to learn still, but there is huge excitement."

If the teenager fulfils his potential, then he could become incredibly productive in the final third considering he has shown he is capable of creating chances for teammates almost single-handedly.

As long as his development goes smoothly and he avoids serious injury, the long-term future for Ngumoha under Slot looks certain to be bright.

Written by

Lewis Nolan