![\"Rio](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Liverpool-v-Athletic-Club-Bilbao-Pre-Season-Friendly.jpg\")
Max Dowman has lauded Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha after his goal against Athletic Bilbao(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\nLiverpool have high hopes for young forward Rio Nguhoma this season after watching the 16-year-old dazzle for Arne Slot in pre-season, scoring yet another goal in a friendly win over Athletic BilbaoMax Dowman has lauded Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha after his goal against Athletic Bilbao(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Arsenal starlet Max Dowman has made his admiration for Liverpool<\/a> youngster Rio Ngumoha clear after he netted in their 4-1 friendly win over Athletic Bilbao<\/a> – calling him “the coldest” in a social media post.<\/p>\n Ngumoha – who is still just 16 – is being tipped for great things after impressing for the Reds during pre-season, scoring three times so far and making a real case for being involved in Arne Slot’s first team squad this season.<\/p>\n He first caught the eye in a 3-1 friendly win over Preston last month before dazzling during Liverpool’s pre-season tour in Asia – and his performance against Bilbao has only strengthened calls from fans for him to be integrated in the 2025-26 campaign.<\/p>\n And Dowman, 15, who is another fantastic youth prospect for Arsenal<\/a>, lauded Ngumoha after his latest strike. In an Instagram<\/a> post, he uploaded a picture of Ngumoha celebrating his goal against Bilbao alongside a caption which said “the coldest”.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issued with Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman transfer warning<\/a>READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres issue identified that could worry Mikel Arteta \u2013 ‘That would be a flag’<\/a><\/p>\n Dowman and Ngumoha know each other well after playing together as team-mates for England’s youth sides.<\/p>\n Just like Nguomha, Dowman has also featured for his club during pre-season after being involved in Arsenal’s own tour of Asia after being entrusted to play in friendlies against AC Milan and Newcastle<\/a> despite his tender age.<\/p>\n The new season might be too soon for Dowman to be introduced fully into the first team, but Ngumoha has every chance at Liverpool<\/a> – particularly if the club do not end up signing striker Alexander Isak.<\/p>\n Speaking about the player’s impact this summer, manager Slot said: “Rio is showing things every time in pre-season.<\/p>\n “We\u2019ve only played two games over here and we haven\u2019t played against Premier League<\/a> opponents yet, but I see him train, I see him play, and the impact he has when he trains and plays is really promising.<\/p>\n “Playing in the Premier League, playing every three days with the Champions League<\/a> games in between, that\u2019s something else.<\/p>\n “But he\u2019s definitely a player who shows that if he keeps bringing these performances in, it definitely won\u2019t be the last time he plays a few minutes for Liverpool. It\u2019s all about consistency. He needs to show it every single day we\u2019re on the pitch.<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community <\/a>and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Dowman](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2_Arsenal-v-Newcastle-Pre-Season-Friendly.jpg\")
Max Dowman is one to watch at Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745298978_502_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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