IMAGO / IPS
Oct 19, 2026 8:00 AM
Rio Ngumoha has been discussing Andoni Iraola's influence on his game since his arrival, competition for places in the Reds' attack and the latest on his contract situation.
Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha has risen to fame since setting the youth system alight, before making his senior debut for the Reds in the Carabao Cup v Accrington Stanley in January 2025.
And now, under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, many will be expecting the Spanish coach to take Ngumoha's game to the next level and establish him as one of the club's best players.
Speaking to Paul Gorst, Rio Ngumoha commented on his start to the season, the competition for places at Liverpool, and whether progress is being made on a new contract at Anfield.
Rio Ngumoha on Andoni Iraola
When Iraola arrived at the club, one of the main characteristics of his teams, whether that is at Rayo Vallecano or at Bournemouth, was the fact that he used quick and dynamic wingers and valued players who could exploit space in behind.
So when looking at the forward options already at the club, Ngumoha was one who fit this player profile perfectly, with the Englishman explaining what Iraola has asked of him so far:
"I think obviously he just wants me to take on the player in the one-v-one duels. He wants me to be a threatening player. But off the ball, he just wants me to help the team however I can.
“So whether it is about me pressing or working the full-backs, whatever it is, I am just taking on what he is saying and looking to improve. I am enjoying working with him and enjoying improving
IMAGO/Every Second MediaThe teenager also heaped praise on Andoni Iraola for the trust he has given him in recent games:
“I can't thank the gaffer much more really for putting me on so early in the game and like I said, whether I start or if I come on, I just have the same mentality.”
Rio Ngumoha on Alexander Isak
The Swedish striker had a difficult first season on Merseyside following a summer-long transfer saga, eventually resulting in Isak making the move to Anfield late in the window.
He then struggled to get up to match fitness before sustaining a leg break just as he was getting back towards his best form.
So, going into this campaign, it was a big one for Liverpool's number nine, but Rio Ngumoha has been full of praise for an "elite" Alexander Isak:
“He doesn't always have to be involved because when he gets that one chance, he can sniff; he can score.
“That's elite strikers for you. You look at elite strikers, some of the best around; they don't have to be involved throughout the whole game because they can just smell chances, and Alex is top, so it was no surprise.”
IMAGO/Propaganda PhotoRio Ngumoha on His Season So Far
The 18-year-old may not have registered a goal or an assist yet this season, but there have been more than one occasion where he has either come off the bench and made a real impact or started a game and looked sharp from the get-go.
And Ngumoha himself has explained that he has enjoyed his start to this season, and is liking the process of learning a new role in the team:
“My season is going well. As you say, I'm playing off the left and the right; I'm improving, working hard and it's been good.
“Do I have a favourite position? No, not anymore to be fair. I think I am getting to grips with the right wing now and I am liking it, it has given me another asset [to my game], so that is good.”
Rio Ngumoha on Improving as a Right Winger
As part of the new head coach's ideas and philosophy, Iraola has tried to move Ngumoha out onto the right-hand side.
Now, partly this is due to a lack of out-and-out right wingers at the club, but also the fact that with Rio Ngumoha being so young, he would enhance his career massively by playing both sides.
If he can play left wing and right wing at the same top level, the opportunity for minutes ahead of less versatile players increases:
“I am enjoying this challenge and to be able to play off both sides is important.
“Playing on the right gives me a bit of unpredictability. Teams might think I am on the left, but I can offer something different on the right. At a young age, being able to play on the opposite side and be unpredictable is something that is really key.”
Rio Ngumoha on Adapting to The Addition of Bradley Barcola
A big signing that the Reds made this summer was the arrival of Bradley Barcola from PSG.
Barcola, like Rio Ngumoha, likes to operate on the left-hand side, meaning that with the Frenchman coming in, it would be easy for the young England international to see that as a threat to his place in the squad, but instead, he has embraced it:
“Yeah, I definitely had to adapt. The good thing about all of us is we can all play on both the left and the right side.
"So I think, like I say, it is always healthy competition at this club at the end of the day, so I think if we're all playing well then no-one can be disappointed at the end of the day. It is all about the team with us, so that is good.”
IMAGO / GEPA picturesRio Ngumoha on Competition for Places In The LFC XI
With the forward line being the area in which Liverpool has the most depth, competition for places is extremely high.
But Ngumoha sees it as "healthy competition", rather than a negative thing:
“Because I am still young, the club are just trying to look after me but we also have some of the best attackers in the world, so competing for places is not easy.
“So it is all about healthy competition and we all just want to make the team win at the end of the day. Whatever minutes we get, we can't be sulking, we just have to go out and show what we can do.”
Rio Ngumoha on His Contract Situation
And finally, a topic that has been circling Ngumoha since he turned 18 at the end of August: a bumper new deal for the Merseyside starboy.
It has been reported previously that Liverpool are in negotiation with his representative over a new long-term deal at the club, but so far there is no news on whether a signature is close:
“It's all with my agent now. I think it is all going well. I am not too sure.
“I just let the football do the talking, I enjoy playing and all of that is in the back of my mind. I just play for Liverpool and hopefully I can carry on doing well.”
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