“Rio’s performance in our last match has opened my eyes to the potential that our young players have, so i am adding Rio and another young player that has been excellent in training to the first team” – This is according to Arne Slot as Liverpool announce inclusion of another forward into senior squad following Rio Ngumoha’s promotion

Liverpool officially confirm new forward addition to first-team squad

Liverpool have officially updated their squad list to include another attacking option in the senior team.

Last season, manager Arne Slot was keen on having six forwards available to cover his system, which requires three attacking roles. That meant he wanted a reliable backup for every position across the frontline.

This was one of the key reasons Liverpool secured the signing of Federico Chiesa last summer, as his versatility allows him to play both centrally and out wide. After impressing during his debut season, the Italian international remains a vital part of the squad moving forward.

However, the Reds have also lost significant firepower. Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Ben Doak all departed on permanent deals, while the tragic passing of Diogo Jota left the team without another proven forward.

New signing Hugo Ekitike has made an instant impact, scoring three goals and registering an assist in his opening three matches, but Slot cannot rely on him alone. At present, the senior attacking unit consists of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Chiesa, and Ekitike.

This explains Liverpool’s ongoing interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, who could add quality and depth to the frontline. Yet even with Isak’s potential arrival, the Reds would still fall short of Slot’s preferred six attacking options.

That is where Rio Ngumoha comes in. The teenage winger has forced his way into first-team contention after a brilliant pre-season, where he contributed five goals and assists across five matches. He then underlined his talent by scoring the winner against Newcastle on his Premier League debut, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.

Despite initially being listed as an academy player, Liverpool’s official website has now confirmed Ngumoha as part of the senior squad, classifying him as a forward. At just 16 years old, soon to turn 17, the youngster has already shown he has the quality and ambition to play at the highest level, even stating his long-term goal is to win the Ballon d’Or.

With his official promotion to the first team, fans can expect to see much more of Ngumoha throughout the season as he looks to write his own chapter in Liverpool’s history.