Former Reds striker Robbie Fowler has singled out two Liverpool stars for praise after a "statement" game against Villarreal in the Champions League earlier this week

Robbie Fowler was as impressed as everyone else as Rio Ngumoha starred for Liverpool against Villarreal in the Champions League — though he wasn't the only player who performed well.

Ngumoha completed nine dribbles and had more touches in the opposition penalty area than any other player on the field. Liverpool only won by the odd goal, conceding three times in the process, but Andoni Iraola's side was carried forward by the 18-year-old.

Operating on the right wing — something that Ngumoha said a few days ago is helping him become more "unpredictable" — the England international was very impressive, contributing two assists.

"It wasn't a statement performance from Liverpool, but it was a statement performance from Ngumoha," Fowler said on Amazon Prime.

"I think we said early in the game that Liverpool were out of sorts, not playing really well.

"They were sloppy and giving the ball away, but there was one player you could count on in that first half, that could make something happen, and he carried on in the second half. He was a big, big difference.

"When Florian Wirtz came on, he was a big, big player too, but for the full 70 minutes that he was on, Rio Ngumoha was outstanding."

Ngumoha collected the Player of the Match award and alongside Alexis Mac Allister was a standout. Wirtz came on at half-time and netted his first goal of the season.

"I think (Ngumoha) was coming from a very good game the other day, a very good second half against Brentford," Iraola said.

"Today he didn’t have an easy game because they were demanding of him defensively. Their left-back was attacking a lot, but there was a moment where offensively he’s been very difficult to stop.

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"If we can put Rio in situations one-v-one where he can get into the box, normally he makes plays, he produces things. The assist to Alexis (Mac Allister), I think it is, is a lovely play.

"He can even go down for a penalty, but he decides to continue and takes a great decision. Also endurance-wise, he’s been able to play more and more minutes. We were pushing for him a little bit, he was tired, but I think he has done a good effort and I’m very happy for him."