Rio Ngumoha move provides Bradley Barcola transfer hint as Liverpool offer glimpse of future
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SportFootballRio NgumohaRio Ngumoha played on the right of the attack in the second half against Wrexham in New York, where he scored the only goal of the game in the second halfThe second-half introduction of Rio Ngumoha as a right winger against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium did not go unnoticed.The 17-year-old, in what are admittedly still the fledgling stages of what is hoped will be a long and illustrious Anfield career, has been fielded almost exclusively on the left.He was always a left sided player under Arne Slot and the single game he had played under Andoni Iraola - against Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday - before this 1-0 win was also in that position, which he made his own towards the back end of last season.But seeing Ngumoha shift over to the opposite flank on the same day interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola was accelerated was surely no coincidence.Iraola may offer reasonable doubt and a plausible, pre-season explanation as to why the teenager was operating on the right side of the attack but with negotiations set to begin over the £140m-rated Barcola - a left-sided forward - the positional tweak took on extra significance.It's also possible that Ngumoha is being trailed at right-wing in an effort to eventually get the best out of £125m Alexander Isak, who missed out here by remaining in Chicago to build up his fitness with fellow World Cup stars Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch.Liverpool have known for a number of months that a Mohamed Salah-less world at Anfield means they have to get more bang for their buck when it comes to the most expensive player in their history going forward.And one way to achieve this might be to have the electric Ngumoha tearing down the right side to offer crosses and cut-backs to the Reds' No.9, Isak.But if that is indeed the plan behind the scenes at Liverpool then it's fair to say it will be a learning process for Ngumoha, who found space at a premium out on the unfamiliar touchline. Wrexham afforded him extra attention and he was unable to drift infield on that side to open up spaces for shots and passes.But if Barcola is to be this summer's marquee name then he will have to play where he is most comfortable and best suited.
That could lead to a new role for Ngumoha and there's no better time to work out the kinks than pre-season.And while the winning goal he scored took a deflection before looping over former Reds goalkeeper Danny Ward, the opportunity to play on that side of the pitch theoretically opens up more shooting space for the former Chelsea youngster.With four more friendlies to come after this and with Ngumoha expected to sign an improved, long-term contract when he turns 18 late next month, there is plenty of time to develop the tactic, both in the short and long term.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pagePaul GorstPaul Gorst is the Liverpool ECHO's Liverpool FC correspondent and brings readers the inside track on all matters Anfield day in, day out.
He brings you all the latest Liverpool news first each day, plus exclusive interviews and insightful, independent analysis. A journalist with over a decade's worth of experience, he has worked at the ECHO since 2016.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Rio NgumohaLiverpool FC