Rio Ngumoha was the star of the show as Liverpool wrapped up their tour of the Far East with a 3-1 win over Yokohama F Marinos in Japan on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old winger came off the bench to score a fine solo goal for Arne Slot’s side after Florian Wirtz – with his first Liverpool goal – and Trey Nyoni had cancelled out Asahi Uenaka’s shock opener for the hosts.
Ngumoha does not turn 17 until the end of August but the former Chelsea youngster has been the shining light of Liverpool’s pre-season campaign so far, with two goals and one assist from the left wing.
Slot hails academy graduates
Following the departure of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, Ngumoha will surely be afforded more opportunities to force his way into Slot’s first-team plans next season.
And the Reds coach was delighted to see Ngumoha and fellow academy graduate Nyoni make such a positive impact.
He told journalists: “Rio again showed the quality he has and that’s nice for us because we have a lot of very good players.
“But to get some very good players through the academy is always helpful and always gives energy to a team as well.
“It’s always nice to see young players from 16, 17 or 18 years old already impacting a game. If you are 16 and you can impact the game like he did, that’s definitely worth a compliment.”
Liverpool fans will next get the chance to see Ngumoha in action on August 4, when the Reds play Athletic Club in a double-header.
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What number will Florian Wirtz wear for Liverpool?
The games will mark the first time the team wears their new Adidas kit, which was unveiled on Friday, along with the squad numbers for Liverpool’s new signings.
Florian Wirtz will wear the number 7 shirt, Milos Kerkez number 6, Jeremie Frimpong sticks with the number 30 shirt he wore at Bayer Leverkusen, while Hugo Ekitike has been handed the number 22 jersey.
Alisson Beker’s deputy Giorgi Mamardashvili will sport the number 25 shirt, with fellow goalkeepers Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi handed 28 and 41 respectively.
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Shameeka Voyiya 
Newsjustnews writers 
Ren Azrack Escosio