Liverpool will have plenty of rebuilding still to do next summer, when Andoni Iraola must address a handful of the glaring issues which have cropped up during his early months in charge.

Though they will likely add to their squad once again, the Reds could also lose a couple of key players. Alisson Becker looks set to depart at the end of his contract, while there remains a chance that Virgil van Dijk will do the same.

As things stand, there is also some concern over Rio Ngumoha, who continues to hold out on signing a professional contract with the Reds. Ngumoha was linked with Bayern Munich once again this weekend, and though he has two years left to run on his agreement, it is probable that Liverpool would have to cash in on the 18-year-old next summer if he does not sign a new deal.

Fans will understandably be worried over the current silence regarding the chances of an extension, but according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are pushing hard behind the scenes and have held positive talks with Ngumoha and his camp.

Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha talks going well

The fact that Ngumoha has only started one Premier League match this season could be part of the reason why he is yet to commit his future to Liverpool.

Having an open pathway to regular first-team football is obviously very important to the youngster, and if he feels he will not get that at Anfield, Chelsea have already seen that he will have no issue looking for it elsewhere.

Ngumoha has shown his quality mostly in the Champions League this season, though, where Andoni Iraola has put more faith in him, with Jamie Carragher hailing him as a ‘future superstar.’

Liverpool clearly love the former Chelsea starlet, and according to Romano, Ngumoha’s full focus is currently on his talks with the Reds, which are described as having been going ‘quite well.’

“I wanted to add something on Rio Ngumoha,” the transfer expert told his YouTube channel on Sunday morning. “For Rio, many of you keep asking me about Bayern, because from Germany the rumours are coming back that Rio is attracting interest from Bayern.

“It’s two separate things guys. One thing is to say that Bayern like Rio, that’s not in doubt. But if you want me to come here and say all the clubs that like players like Rio, Nico Paz, all the top clubs like these players. It’s obvious. So, Bayern liking Rio is one thing.

“At Liverpool last summer the player was not for sale, never an option even to negotiate. They want to get the new contract done for Rio Ngumoha as soon as possible.

“The conversation is underway, it’s going quite well, Rio doing well is also an important point, so the direction is for Liverpool to push and close this new contract as soon as possible. Liverpool want absolutely to keep Rio and he’s focused on his contract.”

Liverpool supporters will hope to see those positive talks translate into concrete developments before the New Year, because if things remain unresolved as the summer gets closer, there is a real chance that this future star is playing his football elsewhere next term.