Renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says “there are active conversations” happening regarding a contract extension for Rio Ngumoha at Liverpool.

The 18-year-old produced a sensational performance for the Reds against Villarreal on Tuesday night, inspiring them to a 4-2 win and registering two assists, being lauded by Andoni Iraola:

“I’m happy with his attitude because he’s eager to improve the things that we think he needs to improve. He’s eager to add more things to his game. He has changed the sides a lot and has played a lot on the right lately.

“He’s feeling so comfortable now and he’s adding even some shots with the left [foot] that he hasn’t scored but he’s getting there, and if he can add these small things to his game it will put him in an even better position.

“That’s the good thing with Rio, he’s still 18, he’s not the full package. He can add things, fortunately for us also, and I hope he continues the same way. It’s not going to be always like this, he will have ups and downs in the process, but I’m happy because attitude-wise I’m seeing him in a great place.”

Speaking on X, Romano provided a promising update regarding Ngumoha’s future at Liverpool, suggesting an extension is more than a possibility:

“Rio Ngumoha was fantastic for Liverpool in [the] Champions League. Two assists, the boy keeps breaking records for Liverpool, and the youngest-ever to deliver an assist for Liverpool in [the] Champions League.

“But what’s gonna happen next for his future? There are active conversations ongoing between Rio Ngumoha and Liverpool over [a] new, long-term contract.

“The boy is very happy at Liverpool, he said after the game, ‘This is the best club in the world’. He also added, ‘To break records here, for me, feels absolutely special.’

“On the other side, for the club, they absolutely want to keep Rio. There were stories about Bayern and more over the recent months, but in the summer, the player was never for sale. So [it was] never a possibility to see Rio Ngumoha leaving Liverpool.

“Let’s see what’s gonna happen in the future, but his contract talks are taking place, and Liverpool want Rio, absolutely, to be a big part of their future.”

Rio Ngumoha deserves huge new Liverpool deal

It is always important to go overboard about a young player, with their career always having the potential to dip, but Ngumoha is a footballer with unbelievable potential.

His display against Villarreal was his best-ever for the Reds, and perhaps most excitingly, he has shown that he can be an elite option on the right wing, having previously been used on the left.

Ngumoha is currently contracted to Liverpool until the summer of 2028, but extending his stay well beyond then is absolutely imperative, with any club in the world football no doubt keen on having him.

Granted, he is still only 18, and there will be some poor runs of form along the way, but he can become one of the best players in the world over time.

New Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward must see this as a vital piece of business to get done.