Arsenal keeping tabs on Rio Ngumoha is exactly the sort of transfer story Liverpool supporters don’t want to be reading.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal are monitoring the 18-year-old winger’s situation, while Liverpool are keen to keep him at Anfield and are in talks over a long-term contract extension.
And from a Liverpool point of view, that new contract needs to be a priority.
Because if Arsenal are watching, you can be certain it isn’t because they don’t rate what they’re seeing.
Ngumoha is already showing what he can do
The most important thing for me is that Ngumoha isn’t simply a highly-rated Academy player anymore.
He’s getting genuine first-team opportunities.
We’ve already seen enough of him to understand why clubs such as Arsenal would be interested.
There is pace, directness, confidence and a willingness to take defenders on. He doesn’t look frightened when he receives the ball and, perhaps most importantly, he plays with the sort of personality you want from a young winger.
That makes him an exciting prospect for Liverpool.
And it also makes him someone other clubs are inevitably going to watch.
Liverpool cannot afford to lose another young star
This is where the club has to be extremely careful.
Liverpool have invested heavily in developing Ngumoha and have given him a pathway into the first team.
Now that he’s starting to show what he can do, the priority has to be making sure that pathway continues at Anfield.
There is no suggestion that Ngumoha wants to leave Liverpool, and that’s an important distinction.
The current reporting is that Liverpool want to renew his contract, rather than that the player is actively pushing for an exit.
So Liverpool supporters shouldn’t panic.
But they should certainly pay attention.
Iraola can play a huge part
One of the biggest factors could be Andoni Iraola.
Young players want to see a pathway to first-team football.
It’s one thing for Liverpool to tell Ngumoha that he is part of their long-term plans. It’s another thing for the manager to demonstrate that by actually giving him opportunities.
And Iraola has already shown a willingness to do exactly that.
Ngumoha started against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and was one of several young players who impressed as Liverpool won 3-1.
That can only help.
If Ngumoha continues to get opportunities, continues developing and feels that he has a genuine chance of becoming an important Liverpool player, then there is every reason to believe he can see his future at Anfield.
Arsenal interest should be a warning, not a crisis
I’m not worried about Arsenal being interested in Ngumoha.
I’m worried about Liverpool giving them a reason to believe they have a chance.
There is a huge difference.
The latest reports indicate Liverpool want to extend his contract, and that is exactly what supporters should want to see.
Get the deal done.
Show Ngumoha that Liverpool believe in him.
Give him minutes.
Let him develop without putting ridiculous expectations on his shoulders.
And make it very clear that if he fulfils his potential, he can become an important player at Anfield.
Because I certainly don’t want to see Rio Ngumoha developing into a top Premier League winger somewhere else.
Liverpool have got an exciting young talent on their hands. Arsenal are watching. Now Liverpool need to make sure they have absolutely no reason to look anywhere else.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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