John Barnes tells Rio Ngumoha what he must improve at Liverpool

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Rio Ngumoha's next challenge is turning his exciting individual ability into consistent goals, assists and regular first-team football.

Ngumoha established himself as one of Liverpool's most exciting young talents last season, making 29 appearances and scoring twice during his breakthrough campaign.

The 17-year-old has already demonstrated his ability to beat defenders and create moments from nothing, but Barnes believes end product rather than eye-catching dribbling must now become the priority.

Ngumoha's rise has been rapid since leaving Chelsea for Liverpool.

He became the youngest player to start a senior match for the Reds when he made his debut aged just 16 years and 135 days in January 2025.

Further opportunities arrived during the following campaign, including a dramatic Premier League winner against Newcastle which made him Liverpool's youngest-ever goalscorer.

His performances eventually earned international recognition, with Ngumoha making his senior England debut against New Zealand before the World Cup.

Barnes, however, does not want expectations surrounding the teenager to accelerate too quickly.

"The next step is for him to play regularly."

The former Liverpool winger believes Ngumoha first needs to establish himself consistently in the team before expectations of becoming a leading player for Liverpool or England are placed on him.

"We have to allow him to develop and to grow slowly. And to slowly get into the team and cement a place in the team first."

Ngumoha's willingness to attack defenders has been one of the defining characteristics of his early Liverpool career.

Barnes does not believe that freedom should necessarily be removed, but says the teenager must learn to make those moments count.

"It's okay expressing himself and beating five players and not having any end product."

For Barnes, goals and chances created will ultimately determine Ngumoha's effectiveness, rather than simply how many defenders he can beat.

"How many goals are you going to score? How many goals are you going to create? So that's how you're going to be judged."

That represents the next stage of Ngumoha's development: maintaining the directness which makes him dangerous while becoming more decisive in the final third.

Barnes believes that would make him a significantly more valuable player for Liverpool.

Liverpool clearly remain invested in the winger's long-term development.

Ngumoha signed his first professional terms in September 2025 and Liverpool are now preparing another contract for the teenager.

He turns 18 on August 29, six days after Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign away against Newcastle United.

Despite his age, Ngumoha could have a significant role during the coming season after accumulating valuable senior experience across the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup last term.

There has also been reported interest from Bayern Munich, adding another reason for Liverpool to secure the future of one of their brightest prospects.

Ngumoha will now look to earn consistent minutes as Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign against Newcastle on August 23.

His ability to take on defenders is already clear. The challenge for the new season is turning that individual threat into more goals and assists while establishing himself as a regular first-team option.

Liverpool also have Ngumoha's contractual future to address, with a new deal being prepared as he approaches his 18th birthday.