NEW YORK -- As Liverpool's 1-0 preseason victory over Wrexham on Wednesday edged towards its conclusion, the cameras homed in on a banner in the crowd.
"Rio, can I have your shirt?" it read. It was one of many shows of support for matchwinner Rio Ngumoha inside Yankee Stadium as the teenage sensation once again showed his worth.
His goal -- a heavily deflected strike in the 75th minute -- was not particularly easy on the eye but it was another example of the 17-year-old proving decisive for Liverpool at the crucial moment. After a breakout season at Anfield last term, the expectation is now that he will become one of the Reds' main men under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
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"The goal was a bit of luck but every minute that we get in preseason is very important," Ngumoha told ESPN after the game. "As you can see, we're just getting fitter, sharper and better."
It was instructive that Ngumoha played on the right after being introduced for the second half, despite usually favouring the left-hand side. Only hours before kick-off in New York, it was reported that Liverpool are readying a bid for Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola as they look to bolster their attacking options following the departure of long-time talisman Mohamed Salah.
Sources told ESPN that Liverpool will table an offer after informal talks with Barcola's representatives established the 23-year-old would be keen on a move to Merseyside. The news prompted legendary Reds defender Jamie Carragher to query the logic of signing another left winger, potentially at the expense of leaving themselves short on the opposite flank.
"Liverpool currently have three players who could play from the left in Rio, [Cody] Gakpo and [Florian] Wirtz and no one who plays from the right," Carragher posted on X.
In using Ngumoha off the right against Wrexham, Iraola was perhaps hinting that the young forward is viewed as a viable option to fill that Salah-shaped void.
"Any position -- right wing, left wing -- I just try my best especially on the ball just to beat my man as best as I can," Ngumoha said. "Today obviously I was a bit rusty but the more I keep learning in training and games, I'll definitely improve. To be adaptable is a skill that I need, definitely."