Rio Ngumoha has revealed why he chose to leave Chelsea and move to Liverpool, branding the decision a “no-brainer”.

The teenage winger joined Chelsea’s academy - world-renowned for its youth development - at the age of eight and became one of the club’s most-prized starlets, with academy coaches previously stating that they believed Ngumoha could win the Ballon d’Or.

But at 16, Ngumoha left Chelsea and joined Liverpool, who oversaw the last of his development in junior ranks before watching him burst onto the scene at senior level.

Chelsea were disgruntled with the nature of Ngumoha’s exit and Liverpool were told in February to pay an initial £2.8m in compensation by a tribunal, with potential for that sum to rise to £6.8m with various add-ons.

Nevertheless, with Ngumoha now a regular under Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola after a breakout season last term, the 18-year-old has explained the reasoning behind his transfer decision and asserts he has no regrets over the switch.

“I feel like I needed a new challenge,” he said. “I feel like if I stayed at Chelsea... not saying that I wouldn't have got to the first team as quick, because I believe in my ability, but I feel like Liverpool just gave me a new pathway.

“The plan that they set for me was straightforward really. For me, it was a no-brainer going to Liverpool, and they just said if I prove myself, because they know how much ability I had, then they know that I would definitely be a first-team player and definitely a star for them in the making.

“I think going to Liverpool so far has been the right choice.”

While Ngumoha only crossed paths with the senior Chelsea team a handful of times during his time at Cobham, he reflects on an interaction he had with Raheem Sterling - who was similarly once a teenage prodigy - when training with the seniors.

“I trained with them only a few times but Raheem Sterling pulled me to the side a couple of times and told me he could see I had talent but I should never zone out in the game and I should always be in the game,” he said.

“The best players are always in the game in the last minutes. If you look at him and Mo [Salah], they’re always there until the crucial moments. Learning off them was important.”

Ngumoha has featured 14 times for Liverpool so far this season across all competitions, notching two assists which both came in a standout Champions League performance in the 4-3 win over Villarreal.

He was hailed by pundits and fans alike after that match, with Liverpool supporters chanting his name as he was substituted.

“Like I always say, Liverpool, we have the best fans in the world, especially Anfield on Champions League nights against big teams,” Ngumoha added.

“The way it roars, I've never heard anything like it. It's special. It's definitely special to play in front of them.”

Ngumoha earned his second call-up to the England squad for the November international break, again entrusted by Thomas Tuchel as the youngest player in his roster.

He could make his first England start in the coming days as the Three Lions see out their Nations League group-stage campaign, first with the visit of Croatia on Thursday before travelling to Madrid to face World Cup winners Spain on Saturday.

The latter will present him the opportunity to share the pitch with another winger sensation in Lamine Yamal, who was pipped to the Ballon d’Or by England captain Harry Kane last month.

Asked about that prospect, Ngumoha said: “I think what he’s doing changed football for young player. He’s phenomenal. He’s one of the best in the world.

“Seeing what he can do so young inspires me and all the other young players in how we can just play freely. The way he plays, it’s like it’s his pitch. It’s a good challenge.”