Rio Ngumoha ‘frustrated’ at Liverpool as key to stopping Bayern Munich revealed
Rio Ngumoha is seeking assurances of more game time under Andoni Iraola ahead of next season before he signs a new Liverpool contract, sources have told Football Insider.
Ngumoha provided the extra inspiration that Liverpool needed to qualify for the Champions League throughout last season.
The 17-year-old winger burst onto the scene in his first senior campaign at Anfield, but still felt underused as they struggled over the line under Arne Slot.
Slot handed Ngumoha just five Premier League starts, with three of those coming in the final weeks of the season.
Iraola has now succeeded the Dutchman at Liverpool, and as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, he will need to give Ngumoha ample opportunities to convince him to sign fresh terms.
Liverpool are keen to tie the teen star down to a new deal as he attracts interest from Bayern Munich.
His current deal expires in 2028, and an extension is likely to be agreed if he becomes a regular under the new Reds boss.
Rio Ngumoha wants more minutes under Andoni Iraola to sign new Liverpool contract
Ngumoha’s 2025-26 exploits saw him awarded the Premier League Debutant of the Year award, while he earned his first England cap against New Zealand last weekend.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “Liverpool are not entertaining any possible offer from Bayern Munich. They regard him as one of the most exciting players to come through the club in a long time, so are not considering a sale.
“Ngumoha obviously was a bit frustrated with maybe not playing as often as he thought he should have done last season, but I'm sure under the new management of Andoni Iraola, he'll be hoping that he can become a regular in the Liverpool team.”
Iraola has made Eli Junior Kroupi transfer decision at Liverpool
Liverpool hired Iraola in part due to his ability to develop young stars and bring the best out of every player in his squad.
Kroupi bagged 13 times in 33 league games under the Basque boss last term to break the record for the most goals scored by a teenager in a single Premier League season.
Despite his impressive performances, sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Iraola has no plans to sign Kroupi at Liverpool as he looks towards other targets.
The Liverpool boss is not currently planning to raid his old club for any stars, despite links to the Frenchman and Brazil winger Rayan.