Liverpool had looked to sign a right-winger with bids for two players, but felt comfortable in moving forward with their current players while moving them from the left in a bold move

Liverpool have been strongly criticized by fans and pundits alike for their handling of the Mohamed Salah replacement situation, knowing their former superstar right-winger would be leaving the club, and failing to replace him. But Rio Ngumoha may have just proved that the club not making a move is the right one.

The club's front office certainly made attempts to sign an out-and-out right-winger. They made an audacious bid for Yan Diomande before moving for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr, only to see all of their offers rejected.

Those rejections may well have been a blessing in disguise, though. They would only have blocked Ngumoha's path to more minutes, and finding his optimal position — playing off the right wing.

Ngumoha put in his best performance in a Liverpool shirt on Tuesday, taking over the game against Villarreal, with Alexis Mac Allister revealing that the team's game plan was to play through him on the right.

While the Reds started slowly and slumped to a 0-2 deficit, Ngumoha had been dangerous from kick-off — constantly dragging multiple defenders out to his flank and beating a man to create a chance.

Every time the ball was sprayed out to the right, Ngumoha brought the ball under control before attacking the full-back and stretching Villarreal's back-line.

He had Anfield on its feet early, and it wasn't long until his attacks paid off, putting a cross into the box for Ronald Araujo to head home before an incredible solo attempt to beat his man down the sideline, before a pull-back pass for Alexis Mac Allister to tap home.

Ngumoha finished the game with two assists, three chances created, and seven successful take-ons — he leads all Champions League players with 16 dribbles through the first three games.

Coming to the season, Ngumoha had featured almost exclusively from the left-hand side.

The first time Liverpool fans saw him play off the right was in England's World Cup exhibition game, where he was named Man of the Match in a standout showing.

Liverpool knew they needed a right-winger to replace Salah, as many began to question whether Ngumoha could be in that role.

After signing Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz — two players who have featured from the left throughout their careers — alongside Cody Gakpo, many argued the squad had been imbalanced. Liverpool appeared to have four left-wingers and no right-wingers.

Munoz has been praised for his performances on the right, scoring two goals from that position, including one against Brentford this past weekend.

But if Ngumoha's game against Villarreal is a glimpse of what is to come for the 18-year-old, the club does not need to bring in another player at the position.

Ngumoha might not have the goalscoring abilities that Salah has, but his moment-to-moment play was as dominant as we've seen from a winger in a long time.

At such a young age, Liverpool fans have every reason to believe they have something special in Ngumoha.

Now, they need to get that contract signed.