As Liverpool embarks on a new era under manager Andoni Iraola—who stepped in following the dismissal of Arne Slot at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season—former Reds striker Daniel Sturridge has shared his expectations for the squad. Speaking on Sky Sports, Sturridge singled out 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha as the player he is most “very excited” to watch throughout the upcoming campaign. Sturridge highlighted the teenager’s impressive dribbling ability, noting that adding more goals to his repertoire will be the key to elevating his performance to the next level.
Ngumoha is set to feature on the right flank, a position long dominated by Mohamed Salah. This opportunity marks a significant milestone for the young winger, who is making only his sixth Premier League start after primarily serving as a substitute during Slot’s tenure. Last season, Ngumoha recorded two goals and one assist across 19 Premier League appearances, totaling 551 minutes of play. Having also scored during the pre-season, he is now aiming to convince Iraola that he warrants a consistent place in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, the club’s new signing, Victor Munoz, will begin the 2026-27 Premier League opener on the bench. The 23-year-old Spanish forward, who joined Liverpool in a €40 million transfer from Osasuna following a standout 2025-26 season, was previously linked with a move to Newcastle United before the Reds secured his signature. Despite cutting his post-FIFA World Cup vacation short to join the squad and making three pre-season appearances, Munoz finds himself behind Cody Gakpo and Ngumoha in the current pecking order.
As the only senior attacking option available on the bench for the match against Newcastle United, Munoz is well-positioned to make his competitive debut for the club as a substitute. The tactical decision by Iraola to favor Gakpo and Ngumoha on the wings reflects the new manager’s immediate focus on integrating the club’s emerging talent into the starting XI as the team looks to establish a fresh identity for the season ahead. The report also notes that advising him to add goals to his game to get to the next level, he pointed out the youngster’s dribbling as a top feature of his game.
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