Grab a pen and jot this name down—Rio Bass Ray Ngumoha Adigun.
Born on August 29, 2008, and about to turn 17, he has become the standout name of Liverpool’s preseason.
That’s saying a lot, considering this is a team that has spent over €300 million on major signings such as Wirtz, Frimpong, and Ekitiké.
Yet this youngster is kicking the door down with dazzling dribbles, bursts of pace, confident ball-carrying, and goals.
He has captivated not only head coach Arne Slot but also anyone who has watched Liverpool’s preseason matches. Three goals and two assists in five games—against senior players.
Just a week ago, Luis Díaz departed for Bayern Munich in a deal worth around €80 million. Many voices called for an immediate replacement.
But perhaps the Dutch manager, who knows a thing or two about football, is aware that he may already have a future solution within the squad. Maybe not for the present, but certainly for what lies ahead.
A year ago, Liverpool snatched one of England’s brightest prospects from Chelsea’s academy, and the club is well aware of what they have. So is the manager. Everyone is. And they’re going to nurture him, giving him the right environment to fully develop his talent.
Let’s not kid ourselves: when we’re young, nearly all of us are drawn to the dribblers—the kids in the schoolyard who tie the ball to their foot (figuratively speaking) and leave their classmates in the dust.
That’s exactly what this teenager is doing—at the highest level—in his early appearances with Liverpool’s first team. And while these matches may not be official, clubs like Athletic Bilbao already know who Rio Ngumoha is: a player who turns dribbling into an art form.
In 2024, The Guardian included him in its “Next Generation: 20 Best Premier League Academy Talents” list. One of his idols is Mohamed Salah, with whom he now shares a dressing room. Yes, it's important to take things step by step—but it’s also true that the real test is the pitch. And so far, Ngumoha is speaking loud and clear.
