You can throw a dart at Liverpool’s summer transfer activity and still hit a headline. The Premier League champs under new boss Arne Slot have already made waves with big-name signings, but this week it’s two fresh-faced teenagers turning heads and they’re getting top marks from one of the Reds’ most respected voices.
Andy Robertson, the club’s stalwart left-back, took a break from title celebrations and friendly duties to hype up Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni both barely old enough to vote, but already training and playing with the first team. In a preseason friendly against AC Milan in Hong Kong, the duo looked every bit the part. And Robertson’s praise isn’t just lip service. He’s watched them grow firsthand.
They’ve Got the Look and the Locker Room Love
Robertson didn’t sugarcoat it. He sounded genuinely impressed.
“These boys they’re not just prospects,” Robertson told The Anfield Wrap. “They’ve got something. You can see it.”
What stood out most wasn’t flashy footwork or highlight-reel moments, but their attitude. “They’ve got fantastic heads on their shoulders,” he said. “And when you’ve got Mo Salah mentoring you? That’s a golden ticket most kids can only dream of.”
Ngumoha and Nyoni may be young, but they’re not being babied. They’re playing with the big boys and more importantly, earning their respect.
Rio Ngumoha: From Chelsea Roots to Liverpool History Books
At just 16, Rio Ngumoha has already made Liverpool history.
The teenager joined from Chelsea in 2023, having been part of their youth setup since he was 8. It didn’t take long for him to make his mark at Anfield.
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Became Liverpool’s youngest-ever starter
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Made professional debut in FA Cup clash vs. Accrington Stanley on January 11
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Took the left-wing role in preseason, right ahead of Robertson
And Robertson’s not just watching from the sidelines he’s sharing the pitch with the lad. “That’s two games now I’ve played with Rio right in front of me,” Robertson said. “He just keeps on growing.”
That trust means something. Especially from a senior player who’s been there, done that, and lifted just about every trophy there is.
Trey Nyoni: Breaking Records, Not Sweat
Trey Nyoni doesn’t need a hype man. His record speaks volumes.
The 18-year-old became Liverpool’s youngest player to appear in a European competition, coming on against PSV Eindhoven last season. He joined the club in 2023 and has quietly built a case for why he deserves to be in the first-team conversation.
His style? Calm, clean, composed. Not one to overcomplicate. He reads the game well and when the pressure’s on, he plays like someone ten years older.
Slot, who values intelligence and discipline over flash, has taken note. So have fans. And now, Robertson.
“They get better every time they play with us,” he said. “That’s what you want to see.”
Not This Season, But Soon Enough
Let’s be honest they’re probably not getting regular starts this year.
Liverpool just dropped big money on Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitiké. And there’s still buzz around Alexander Isak joining before the window closes. The first-team squad is deep and competitive.
But that’s not the point.
What matters is that the club is giving these youngsters a shot. Real minutes. Real support. Real praise from key players. And that bodes well for what’s next.
Slot’s Balancing Act: Spend Big, Trust Young
Arne Slot has a Premier League trophy in his pocket and a roster brimming with experience yet he’s not closing the door on youth.
That’s a balance not every manager gets right. But Slot seems intent on blending ambition with development.
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High-profile signings have dominated headlines
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Youth players like Nyoni and Ngumoha still making matchday squads
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Robertson’s mentorship highlights club culture
This isn’t just a “wait your turn” situation. It’s “prove yourself now, we’re watching.”
And with mentors like Salah and Robertson backing them, both teenagers seem poised to do just that.
