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Liverpool have added record-breaking 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha to their Champions League squad for the knockout phase of the competition.
The precocious winger signed for Liverpool during the summer transfer window after the Reds persuaded him to leave Chelsea’s youth setup and has since gone on to make his debut under Arne Slot.
Ngumoha became the second-youngest player to start a match in Liverpool’s history during the FA Cup third round victory over Accrington Stanley, as well as being the club’s youngest-ever representative in the world’s oldest cup competition.
The teenager impressed on his debut and has been added to Liverpool’s European roster for the knockout phase of the competition as a result, replacing Tom Hill after the midfielder departed for Harrogate Town during the January transfer window.
Clubs are allowed to make three changes to their Champions League squad between the league phase and knockouts, and a lack of winter activity in the market means that Ngumoha has been handed a luxurious opportunity at such a tender age.
He has been added to Liverpool’s List A of players rather than List B – the latter reserved for under-21 players – because he has been at the club for fewer than two years. The forward wasn’t previously eligible for the league phase as he waited to complete the appropriate paperwork.
Slot was evidently impressed with Ngumoha’s contributions in the FA Cup earlier this season, praising his technical ability and bravery.
“Every time when he comes training with us we see what his qualities are. He can dominate one-v-one situations, he is very quick on his feet, he can change directions really fast,” enthused the Liverpool boss.
“I’m always happy if a player makes his debut that he shows what we see on the training ground. I think the fans liked what they saw.”
Liverpool topped the league phase standings after winning seven of their eight matches and have directly qualified for the Champions League last 16. However, they must wait for the conclusion of the play-off round to know their next opponents.
The Reds will face one of Benfica, Monaco, Brest or Paris Saint-Germain, with the latter a particularly challenging tie.
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