Iraola puts Rio Ngumoha in the spotlight after Liverpool’s comeback against Villarreal

Iraola put Rio Ngumoha in the spotlight after Liverpool came from behind to beat Villarreal in the Champions League. Liverpool, trailing 0-2, won 4-3, with the youngster providing two assists and troubling the Villarreal defence. To lead the response, Andoni Iraola called on an 18-year-old academy player.

The match, listed as the competition’s third round, made Ngumoha central to a dramatic victory. His contribution carries particular weight against the backdrop of Liverpool spending more than 417 million euros to replace its former forward line of Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah with Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz. Recruited after his time at Chelsea, the young player became one of the key contributors on the night for Iraola’s side.

Iraola described Ngumoha’s development this way: “He is becoming a more complete player. He is still only 18.” The coach also said Ngumoha was working to improve in the areas addressed in training. He has been playing more on the right, where he has adapted well, while tending to move inside. Ngumoha said that working on the right wing was helping him progress, with support from the coaching staff and his teammates.

The winger said he was ready to take on opponents whenever an opportunity arose, relying on his confidence and continuing to press them. He rated his display among the best of his career and praised the support of the team. After the match, he said Liverpool had never stopped believing despite the deficit: “We were two goals down, but the mentality was always there, and we knew we were going to win.” On his assists, he stressed that the result mattered most: “The assist so we win is the most important thing.” He also called hearing supporters chant his name “a dream”.

The match account also described a tactical adjustment: Ryan Gravenberch was moved to right-back to combine more with Rio, while Liverpool directed play more towards one side and strengthened the left flank. At his debut, Arne Slot had already praised the youngster’s fearlessness in training and his willingness to do what he does best.

Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea in September 2024. In 2025, after turning 17, he signed a professional contract with Liverpool through 2028. Against Villarreal, he set up Ronald Araújo’s equaliser just before half-time, then created Alexis Mac Allister’s goal to put Liverpool ahead in the second half. Mac Allister scored twice, and Florian Wirtz added Liverpool’s fourth.