'I can't believe': Wataru Endo says he saw something 'amazing' from Rio Ngumoha for vs Accrington Stanley

01/13/2025 03:00 AM

Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 win against Accrington Stanley on Saturday in the FA Cup, with the spotlight firmly on teenager Rio Ngumoha.

The 16-year-old became the youngest player ever to start a game for the Reds, with Robbie Fowler praising Ngumoha for his performance against the League Two side as academy teammate Jayden Danns also hailed Liverpool teenager for his debut display.

With Liverpool staff impressed with Ngumoha the second the forward joined the club this summer, the wonderkid’s attitude in training and development across the numerous youth teams paid off in a big way against Accrington Stanley.

And Wataru Endo noted one thing about the youngster’s performance that left the Liverpool midfielder astounded.

Endo blown away by Ngumoha’s ‘amazing’ dribbling vs Accrington Stanley

Speaking to the press after the match, the 31-year-old Liverpool star shared how ‘amazing’ Ngumoha’s dribbling was at Anfield, with Endo also hailing the winger for delivering in such an important match despite his age.

With Arne Slot impressed by Ngumoha in Liverpool training, the 16-year-old impressing in his first senior game for the Reds is perhaps not the biggest surprise, yet the likes of Endo are still stunned by what they saw on the weekend.

Endo said when asked about Ngumoha’s performance: “I think he played very well – especially in the first half. His dribbling is amazing. My son is 11-years-old so there’s only a five-year difference, so I can’t believe I play with him.

“I’m so happy he made his debut. It’s a special moment for him. He also said it is just the beginning so he needs to keep working hard. He trains like that so I’m not surprised he played like that.”

Could Ngumoha feature again for Liverpool this month?

Accrington Stanley will be Liverpool’s game this month given their standing in the English fouth-tier and the fact that the game took place at home, perfect conditions for Slot to give a player like Ngumoha their debut for the Reds.

Yet given how important Liverpool’s remaining fixtures are this January, there’s a real chance that supporters might not see Ngumoha again, with the potential exceptions the Reds’ home clash against Ipswich Town and their final UEFA Champions League game away to PSV Eindhoven.

Indeed, Ngumoha showed he has the quality to become a real star for Liverpool in the future, and more minutes this month could be Slot’s biggest indicator yet that the winger is ready to become a member of the first-team.