Salah's parting advice fuels Rio Ngumoha's England hopes
Rio Ngumoha has praised Mohamed Salah for the guidance he received at Liverpool before the Egyptian forward left Anfield, saying the advice focused on improving his end product. The Reds wonderkid was a surprise inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the World Cup and kept his place for the international break, making a cameo against Czechia in Prague.
Surprise call-up to Tuchel's squad
The Reds wonderkid’s selection stunned many, as Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup featured the 18‑year‑old. He retained his place for the international break and was given a brief cameo against Czechia in Prague. Ngumoha could still win his first start in the next fixtures against Croatia and a second clash with Czechia.
Salah's mentorship at Liverpool
Salah shared words of wisdom, urging the youngster to prioritise his end product before departing Anfield. Ngumoha recalled, "The player who I probably learned the most from is Mohamed Salah, when he was at Liverpool. He taught me a lot, especially towards the back end when he knew he was leaving." He also said Salah reminded him, "Rio, you’re a good player but to reach the top you have to add the goals and assists."
Ngumoha said the guidance gave him the confidence to believe he could wear the England shirt at eighteen. "I definitely had the confidence to believe I could wear the England shirt at 18," he said, adding that he felt hunger, fight and belief when he stepped onto the pitch. He praised Jude as "probably the best midfielder in the world at this point" and likened his ambition to Wayne Rooney’s early rise.
The report was published in Sport, authored by Daniel Orme, Sports Writer, at 14:24 on 03 Oct 2026 and featured View 2 Images. It highlighted the young player’s gratitude towards the Liverpool legend and his budding England prospects.
The Reds continue to nurture talent, and Ngumoha hopes to translate Salah’s advice into more goals and assists as he pushes for a full England debut.
If he secures a start against Croatia or Czechia, the youngster could cement his place ahead of the World Cup, turning the mentor’s words into tangible impact on the international stage.