Liverpool should repeat Harvey Elliott trick with forward in January

Liverpool have built a reputation for developing their academy players into first-team stars over the past decade.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best example. A local lad who made his first team debut at 18 and went on to play over 350 times for the Reds.

The pathway to first-team football for Liverpool’s youngsters had become clear, but things have stagnated under Arne Slot.

The Dutchman has still given opportunities to young players, but established senior players playing out of position have been preferred to perhaps better suited academy players the majority of the time.

In Rio Ngumoha the Reds have one of the most exciting prospects in English football, but sitting on the bench every week won’t help the star develop anymore and it is time Liverpool start to consider his future.

The time is now for Ngumoha to leave Liverpool

Ngumoha, who became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer against Newcastle United earlier this season, is widely regarded as the best young talent Liverpool currently have.

Since arriving from Chelsea’s academy in 2024, Rio has shown glimpses of absolute brilliance and his ability with the ball at his feet is nothing short of impressive for his age.

Despite initial belief that Ngumoha could play an increased role for the Reds this season, the 17-year-old has played just 3% of Liverpool’s Premier League minutes.

In order for him to achieve his incredible potential, it is vital for Rio to be playing regularly.

A loan move looks like the ideal solution, especially with the potential arrival of Antoine Semenyo likely to limit the youngster’s playing time even more.

Liverpool must repeat Harvey Elliott trick

Before his disappointing move to Aston Villa, Harvey Elliott was another shining example of Liverpool promoting young talent to the first-team.

Elliott has played 149 times for Liverpool, but before he was a first-team regular for the Reds he found himself in a similar situation to Ngumoha.

The solution for Elliott was a loan move to Championship side Blackburn Rovers when the England U21 international was the same age Rio is now, 17.

Elliott played 42 times for Blackburn before returning to Anfield a player more ready for senior football.

This trick should be repeated with Ngumoha. A loan move to a Championship side could be exactly what gives the youngster the tools he needs to nail down a place in Slot’s plans.

If Liverpool do decide to let Rio leave on loan there will surely be a queue of suitors ready to take him on for the second half of the campaign, and Ngumoha could return to Liverpool in the summer ready to make a proper challenge for a place in Slot’s XI.

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