Liverpool can give Rio Ngumoha what he's always wanted this summer after Mohamed Salah exit
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesRio NgumohaMohamed Salah's Liverpool exit leaves an iconic number up for grabs in the Liverpool squad, and it's a number that Rio Ngumoha may well be eyeingRio Ngumoha wants the No. 11 jersey at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool could put a huge show of faith in Rio Ngumoha this season by handing him the jersey number that he cherishes most.Mohamed Salah's departure at the end of last season means the No.
11 jersey at Anfield is currently vacant.It would be a big call from Liverpool to hand one of soccer's iconic numbers to a player who does not turn 18 until August, but Ngumoha's potential is so high that few Reds fans would have an issue with the teenager inheriting Salah's number ahead of the 2026-27 season.When asked in an interview with Sky Sports towards the end of the campaign what his dream jersey number is, the 17-year-old inadvertently pitched himself as the successor to Salah's number.Ngumoha answered: "Seventy-three holds a special place in my heart, obviously the first number I received. It was just random.
But my dream number would be 11."Watching Neymar play for Barcelona and Mo obviously has broken all the records with No.11."Ngumoha is currently in the United States with the England squad and made his senior international debut in the Three Lions' 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand on Saturday.The youngster was one of a small clutch of young players who Thomas Tuchel invited to the United States to help the senior squad prepare for the World Cup.He came on as a half-time substitute against New Zealand and ended up winning the man-of-the-match award, leading many viewers to wonder why he wasn't included in the 26-man squad that Tuchel thinks will give England the best chance of winning the World Cup.Ngumoha starred for England against New Zealand(Image: Getty Images)Ngumoha's England teammate and Merseyside rival, Jordan Pickford, praised Ngumoha for his showing against New Zealand.“He was quality, nothing fazed him," Everton goalkeeper Pickford said.“He’s had a really good season at Liverpool and the manager gave him his debut and he showed how good he is.“All the young lads have been brilliant in training, they have moulded into the squad and helped us massively and it also shows the talent we have in the system.“It is a credit to the academies and the pathway we have in English football.”In the event of injury or illness, Tuchel is permitted to make changes to his squad up until 24 hours before its opening group game, against Croatia on June 17.However, he will only be allowed to choose from the players he included in an original 55-man squad, which was not made public but which Ngumoha is not believed to have been on.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCRio NgumohaMohamed Salah