New England boss Thomas Tuchel drops a massive hint over his future plans, earmarking Liverpool sensation Rio Ngumoha for a starring role at the Euro 2028 finals.
The World Cup is now over, so fans of club and international football alike are now looking forward. This summer, there were no Liverpool players in an England World Cup squad for the first time in four decades, but that is not to say that Thomas Tuchel will not be visiting Anfield next season.
Thomas Tuchel's big plans for a Liverpool youngster
According to a report by Mike McGrath of the Telegraph, Rio Ngumoha will "feature prominently" in Tuchel's plans for England going forward, ahead of Euro 2028 on home soil. The teenager was part of the Three Lions' pre-tournament training camp earlier this summer, called in to bolster the numbers alongside Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal, Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Josh King of Fulham.
Well, Ngumoha impressed in training to such an extent that he was handed his senior international debut against New Zealand in Tampa, replacing Ollie Watkins at half time. There were even rumours that Tuchel wanted to add him to the 26-man squad, when Tino Livramento got injured, but was unable to do so because he was not included in the provisional 55-man roster.
According to McGrath, the 17 year old "was given encouragement... from senior England players... that he would be expected to be back in the squad in the future, such was the impression he made". Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, not the most popular figure at Anfield, praised his "quality", adding that "nothing fazed him". This is all high praise for a player who has not even been called up by the under-21s yet, but may make the jump straight up to the seniors.
Following Saturday's ridiculous 6-4 win over France in the Bronze Final, England will return to action in the elongated double-international break in late-September. Tuchel's team will face Spain and Czech Republic at Wembley, as well as Croatia in Rijeka and the Czechs over in Prague too. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Ngumoha will feature in those UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Will Rio Ngumoha be a key figure for Liverpool next season?
UNBELIEVABLE!!!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/P60Iq2kQdY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 25, 2025
Of course, before any of that, Ngumoha will have five pre-season and seven competitive fixtures in which to make him mark, so how important will he be for new head coach Andoni Iraola? Well, last season was a breakthrough campaign for the teenager. His 100th minute winner at St James' Park made him the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool history, while only Max Dowman, James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney have scored in the Premier League for any club at a younger age.
He was also on target during April's victory over Fulham at Anfield, racking up 551 Premier League minutes, as well as 63 in the Champions League, starting five league games and twice in the Carabao Cup. Thus, Arne Slot clearly believed in his talent, but he now has to prove his worth to a new boss.
What is in Ngumoha's favour is a lack of attacking options at Iraola's disposal, especially at the start of pre-season. Hugo Ekitiké is sidelined long-term, while Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and new recruit Víctor Muñoz are all on holiday, following their World Cup exploits. This only leaves Federico Chiesa and, at a push, the returning from the wilderness Harvey Elliott.
Thus, against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds stateside later this month, expect Ngumoha to see plenty of minutes and, if Liverpool do not land the transfer targets they are hoping for, he could be returning to Newcastle, the scene of his greatest moment thus far, and starting on the Premier League's opening weekend.
Add us as a preferred source on Google