Ngumoa: A Successful Season for Me, But Not for Liverpool

Despite being just 17 years old, Rio Ngumoa already feels like an integral part of the Liverpool squad. Last season marked his first foray into senior football, where he made 29 appearances for the Reds across all competitions. Early on, he etched his name into club history as the youngest goalscorer, netting the winning goal against Newcastle in stoppage time. 

Ngumoa's impressive performances earned him his first call-up to the England national team, even featuring in a friendly against New Zealand in June. "It was incredible, honestly. I received the call-up before the final match of the season. The FA's technical director messaged me, informing me I'd be included in the training camp, which was thrilling. I went, met everyone, and even got to play. It felt surreal, and it's something I'll never forget," Ngumoa told the club's television channel. 

While the call-up was a testament to the winger's strong season, Liverpool as a team didn't fare as well. The Merseyside club, who started the season as champions, ultimately finished a disappointing fifth, 25 points adrift of league winners Arsenal. 

"I'm grateful to all my teammates who supported me throughout the season. Initially, they just knew me as a talented young player, but over time, I became one of them. For me, the season was a success, but not for the team. I learned a lot and gained invaluable experience playing in front of the best fans in the world, without a doubt. I thank them for their support, both for me and for the team," he continued. 

"My goal for next year is to build on this, to contribute with goals and assists, but also defensively. I need to improve in both phases if I want to be a starter someday. I'll also need to make a significant leap to even play as a substitute, as we have many high-calibre players. The competition for a place in the squad is fierce, but competition benefits us all. I'll just try to help in any way I can," Ngumoa added.