Iraola urges 18-year-old Ngumoha to stay grounded after two-assist Villarreal masterclass

Rio Ngumoha produced two assists to inspire Liverpool’s 4-3 Champions League comeback win over Villarreal at Anfield, but manager Andoni Iraola was quick to temper expectations around the 18-year-old, warning him that “it’s not going to be always like this.”

The Reds had trailed 2-0 before rallying to claim their third win from three Champions League group games, with Ngumoha the driving force behind the turnaround. The crowd at Anfield were chanting his name by the final whistle, and £123 million summer signing Bradley Barcola was kept on the bench until the closing 16 minutes.

Despite the adulation, Iraola was measured in his praise, stressing that the teenager still has significant development ahead of him. “I’m happy with his attitude because he’s eager to improve the things that we think he needs to improve. He’s eager to add more things to his game,” the Liverpool boss said. “That’s the good thing with Rio — he’s still 18, he’s not the full package. He can add things, fortunately for us also, and I hope he continues the same way. He will have ups and downs in the process, but I’m happy because attitude-wise I’m seeing him in a great place.”

Iraola also highlighted Ngumoha’s growing comfort on the right flank after being asked to operate on both sides of the attack. “He has changed the sides a lot and has played a lot on the right lately. He’s feeling so comfortable now and he’s adding even some shots with the left foot — he hasn’t scored but he’s getting there.”

Ngumoha himself was bullish about his approach, reflecting on the atmosphere at Anfield and his own mentality in one-on-one situations. “To hear my name being chanted is a dream,” he said. “Whenever I get the ball and there’s an opportunity to go one-v-one or two-v-one sometimes, by all means I’ll do it. I believe in myself to do it. The more chances we get, the more it makes the opposition worry. I just keep going and be ruthless.”

The teenager faces stiff competition for a starting berth, with Barcola, Victor Munoz, and Cody Gakpo all vying for places in the same area of the pitch. How Iraola manages that squad depth — and Ngumoha’s development within it — will be one of the more intriguing subplots of Liverpool’s season.