Iraola urges patience as Liverpool teenager Ngumoha handles growing spotlight

Liverpool coach warns against piling pressure on 18-year-old

Andoni Iraola has urged patience with Rio Ngumoha, saying the young Liverpool winger should be allowed to experience the ups and downs that come with development rather than being burdened with unrealistic expectations.

Ngumoha impressed in Liverpool’s Champions League comeback against Villarreal on Tuesday while adapting to the right wing. It was only his fifth start under Iraola. Last month, he became the third-youngest player to make his competitive debut for England, behind Wayne Rooney and Jude Bellingham.

“We cannot straight away put demands on Rio that are impossible to beat. No, we have to help him in this process knowing that he will have good games and probably some games when it is not so good.”

Iraola described coaching the teenager as a “privilege” and said Ngumoha appeared focused on improving rather than being distracted by the attention. The winger has two years remaining on the contract he signed when he turned 17 and is expected to be offered a new deal.

Liverpool will again be without the injured Dominik Szoboszlai for Sunday’s home match against Brighton. Victor Muñoz is a doubt after picking up a knock in last weekend’s win at Brentford.