Rio Ngumoha handed new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola an early problem on Saturday night — one the Basque cannot afford to ignore.
The 17-year-old produced a sparkling second-half display for England in a 1-0 World Cup warm-up win over New Zealand in Tampa, earning the player of the match award on his senior debut. Deployed on the right flank rather than his customary left wing, Ngumoha brightened an otherwise lacklustre fixture with an unpredictable, aggressive performance that left Jude Bellingham purring.
“Rio Ngumoha shines on England debut as Bayern Munich circle, sending new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola a message to keep him.”
“Congratulations on an amazing debut,” Bellingham said in a video posted by the national team after the match. “I think we all enjoyed watching it, and obviously, you’re going to have a really bright future at your club and hopefully with us as well.”
The outing came just days after Liverpool confirmed Iraola as Arne Slot's successor, and with Bayern Munich circling. According to the Athletic, the Bundesliga champions have identified Ngumoha as their top target for a left winger to cover Luis Diaz — the forward they signed from Liverpool last summer. Bayern are yet to lodge a formal bid, but the teenager is aware of their interest.
Liverpool, however, have no intention of selling. Ngumoha made 31 appearances for the Reds in the 2025-26 season under Slot, scoring three goals and registering one assist. The club view him as a vital component of their future, and Iraola now has a clear message from the player’s performance: retaining and integrating the winger into the first team must be a principal priority.
Though not included in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, Ngumoha was called up for England’s final two warm-up matches. His display in Tampa has already sent a signal to the new Liverpool hierarchy — and to Bayern — that he belongs on the biggest stage.