A former England star has expressed concern over Liverpool's treatment of Rio Ngumoha, urging the Reds to allow the youngster to continue to enjoy playing his game

A former England international has issued Liverpool a warning over its handling of Rio Ngumoha.

Ngumoha has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence since breaking through at Liverpool, making an impression when given opportunities last season before taking on a more prominent role under Andoni Iraola this campaign. His progress has also been recognized at international level, with a call-up to the England training squad ahead of the World Cup followed by two further selections in Thomas Tuchel's squad this season.

Ngumoha has shown his versatility by operating on both flanks, while his pace and trickery make him a difficult opponent to contain. He also possesses the ability to test goalkeepers from distance, adding another dimension to his attacking game.

Although Liverpool will need to manage his development carefully given his age and limited experience, there is already plenty of evidence of the talent that has excited supporters.

Former England international Chris Waddle believes Liverpool must resist the temptation to coach the natural flair out of Ngumoha, arguing that his ability to take on defenders and create chances should be encouraged rather than restricted.

He described the teenager as an exciting talent who plays without overthinking, adding that players with his pace, dribbling ability and willingness to make things happen are becoming increasingly rare in modern football. "He's exciting, he's young, and he's probably not overthinking the game. He's probably just going out and playing how he plays; enjoying it," Waddle told iGaming.com.

"Unfortunately, what happens with players like that is some coaches get a hold of them and tell them to stop doing what they're doing, and then he becomes a normal player. If you've got a talent where you can run with the ball, you've got pace, you can dribble, and you can do things—let the players do it. Let them do it!

"Because 95% of the game now is just, 'get it and pass it .' All these players who can dribble and want to make things happen—don't take it away from them. I'm not saying Liverpool are going to, but let him just grow and let him play.

"We need players like that if we're going to win tournaments. We need players who can beat people, create, and maybe get a goal himself. You need players who are different from the bread-and-butter players, and unfortunately, we tend to find them in this country and then coach it out of them. I just don't see the sense in that.

"You've got a guy who can do things, let him do it! Yes, he can be frustrating, but these players win football matches, and we don't have enough creative players anymore."

Waddle also believes England need more creative players if they are to compete for major honors, highlighting the importance of individuals who can beat opponents, create opportunities and score goals. He argued that Ngumoha should be given the freedom to express himself, with experience helping him learn when to take risks and when to release the ball.

He added that Liverpool and Tuchel should avoid placing too many restrictions on the youngster, questioning the point of selecting such a naturally gifted player if he were then discouraged from playing to his strengths.

He added: "Whenever you look at a team, you need all sorts—you need your grafters, your tall guys, your physical guys, your passers. But you need your artists. A goalscorer is only as good as the players who create for him, and if you don't have any creative players, the goalscorer is basically going to think, "I might get a chance by a mistake or from a set piece, and that is it." You need those creative players.

"Players like Ngumoha have done well to get where they are, so don't take that away from him. Let him do it and encourage him more. He'll learn himself—he'll know when he's got to pass it and when not to, which comes with experience. Don't start telling him, "You're losing the ball, you're losing the ball, right, you're off." His confidence will drop. He's not a ball-winner, he's not a grafter—we need him to be on the ball. Hopefully Liverpool will encourage him to keep doing that, and if he plays for England, let him off the leash.

"Don't start saying, 'Do this, do that.' What are you picking him for otherwise?"