Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images

Liverpool’s commitment to developing the next generation of footballing talent has been evident in their aggressive approach to academy recruitment.

In the summer of 2023, Liverpool secured the services of Trey Nyoni from Leicester City and Amara Nallo from West Ham United.

Both players have already made their senior Liverpool debuts with Nyoni in particular highly rated and often times training with the senior team.

Meanwhile, Alvin Ayman joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2024 after an extended transfer process.

Liverpool reportedly paid £2 million in compensation for Ayman, reflecting their belief in his potential.

Since arriving at Anfield, he has featured prominently for the U18s and U19s in the UEFA Youth League, and also recently penned his first professional contract.

But perhaps the gem of the current academy has now been called up to the England U17, with Rio Ngumoha amongst the forwards selected for the U17 squad to face their Netherlands counterparts in Spain later this month.

Ngumoha will face the Netherlands twice as part of their preparations for UEFA U17 EURO elite qualifying round fixtures in March, with the opportunity to qualify for both the EURO Finals and the next FIFA U17 World Cup.

The games are scheduled for Thursday 20 February and Sunday 23 February respectively.

Ngumoha’s move from Cheslea was far from straightforward; it required approval through the Premier League’s rigorous five-step review process for academy transfers.

At just 16 years old, Ngumoha was already regarded as one of England’s brightest young talents.

Since arriving at Liverpool, Ngumoha has wasted no time making an impact?

He debuted for Liverpool’s first team in January 2025 during the FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley, becoming the club’s youngest-ever starter in the competition at just 16 years and 135 days old.

Full U17 squad via englandfootball.com:

Goalkeepers: Lanre Awesu (West Ham United), Freddy Bernal (Chelsea), Maxwell Moses (West Bromwich Albion)

Defenders: Dean Benamar (Crystal Palace) Jun’ai Byfield (Tottenham Hotspur), Hayden Ford (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Malachi Hardy (Tottenham Hotspur), Godwill Kukonki (Manchester United), Jayden Ngwashi (Manchester United), Wes Okoduwa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Freddie Simmonds (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders: Harrison Miles (Manchester City), Chinaza Nwosu (West Ham United), Louis Page (Leicester City), Seth Ridgeon (Fulham)

Forwards: Brad Burrowes (Aston Villa), Max Dowman (Arsenal), Harry Gray (Leeds United), Harry Howell (Brighton & Hove Albion), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Bailey Palmer (Middlesbrough), Alejandro Rodriguez (Olympique Lyonnais), Luca Williams-Barnett (Tottenham Hotspur)

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone
For more news relating to Manchester United, visit our sister site MUFC Live.