Max Dowman’s Admiration for Rio Ngumoha
Arsenal’s promising talent, Max Dowman, has publicly expressed his admiration for Liverpool’s young forward, Rio Ngumoha, following the latter’s impressive goal in a recent friendly. Ngumoha, only 16 years old, shone in Liverpool’s 4-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao, where Dowman described him in a social media post as “the coldest.”
Ngumoha’s Rising Star Status
Rio Ngumoha is generating significant excitement at Liverpool after an outstanding pre-season, where he has scored three goals, reinforcing his position for consideration in Arne Slot’s first team for the upcoming season. Ngumoha first gained attention during a 3-1 friendly win against Preston last month and further captivated fans during Liverpool’s tour in Asia. With his recent performance against Athletic Bilbao, calls for his inclusion in the 2025-26 squad are growing.
Dowman and Ngumoha: A Shared Journey
At just 15, Dowman is another remarkable young prospect, showcasing his skills for Arsenal during their own Asian tour and playing in friendlies against AC Milan and Newcastle. Both players are familiar with each other, having represented England at youth levels. While it may still be early for Dowman to break into Arsenal’s first team, Ngumoha appears to have more opportunities at Liverpool, especially if the club does not pursue striker Alexander Isak.
Manager’s Confidence in Ngumoha
Manager Arne Slot has also praised Ngumoha, stating, “Rio is showing things every time in pre-season. We’ve only played two games over here and we haven’t played against Premier League opponents yet, but I see him train, I see him play, and the impact he has when he trains and plays is really promising.” He added, “It’s all about consistency. He needs to show it every single day we’re on the pitch.”
