Andoni Iraola warns against overhyping Rio Ngumoha

Andoni Iraola has warned against overhyping Rio Ngumoha but believes the 18-year-old has the right temperament to handle his rise to stardom with Liverpool and England.

Ngumoha became England’s third-youngest international to feature in a competitive match, behind only Jude Bellingham and Wayne Rooney, when he played in a 2-0 victory over Czechia last month at 18 years and 31 days old.

The teenager has continued to impress at club level, providing assists for Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister in Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 Champions League victory over Villarreal on Tuesday.

The Reds are also in talks with his representatives over an improved contract.

Rio Ngumoha has adapted well to a change in position under Iraola, operating primarily on the right following Liverpool’s £123million signing of Bradley Barcola in August.

While Iraola is excited about helping the youngster fulfil his potential, the Liverpool manager has urged caution over expectations surrounding the rising star.

“I found that for me, Rio is very coachable. He pays attention, he listens to every information we give,” Iraola said ahead of Sunday’s visit from Brighton & Hove Albion.

“Already the club was working with Rio, with a lot of young players that are there in between, doing a lot of individual work, even in moments where he wasn’t playing, putting individual clips, doing individual sessions, things that we think he can improve, and we are continuing this process.

“We haven’t done anything super special with him. It’s like let’s give him confidence, continue the process and he is the one adding a lot to his game.

“I haven’t felt that he’s very affected, positively or negatively, by the things they talk about him. I think he’s very focused on the football side, of improving his performances, of trying to get the things that we need from him.

“I think it definitely helps him, it’s not easy when you are 18 and everyone is talking about you, but he knows, I think, that what matters is what is happening today in training, the things that he can add to his game, and I think he’s very focused there.

“Definitely I feel lucky to have him, but I think there is also a moment where we cannot also, just because he has played well, put the expectation straight away super high because it’s not fair for him.

“Because he will have to still make mistakes, he will have his moments up and down, and this is a natural process that every player goes through. So we cannot straight away put the demands in Rio that are impossible to beat.

“It’s like we have to go helping him in this process, knowing that he will have good games, but also he will have games where probably he’s not so good.”

Iraola added: “I think every player has to focus on performances, on keeping doing well and improve the things he can improve.

“The outside noise, when it’s good, when it’s bad I think it affects – obviously – but we have to not be affected by those things.

“You continue to do your job, as good as you can, try to improve the things you can improve and don’t be too affected from the things you can hear.

“When you do well they are going to praise you, when you do bad they are going to be critics but don’t let those things affect too much the performance, which in the end is the most important thing.”