Rio Ngumoha believes new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has already given him more ammunition to “destroy defenders” as he targets his first England start.
Ngumoha is part of the Three Lions squad for their forthcoming UEFA Nations League matches, the first of which is against world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
The 18-year-old winger has made five appearances for Liverpool this season, including three starts, and has already accumulated 232 minutes of playing time – a total he did not reach until January last term.
With strong competition for the wide roles at Liverpool, Ngumoha has featured on both flanks under Iraola and believes the versatility is helping him develop as a player.
“The gaffer at Liverpool has really been helpful,” he said. “And all the coaching staff as well – I can’t speak highly enough of them.
“But I’m enjoying it. I’m playing left-wing, right wing as well. So it’s given me another tool to destroy defenders.”
Rio Ngumoha made his England debut in the second half of their World Cup warm-up friendly win over New Zealand in the United States in June.
After Saturday’s clash with Spain, he will have further opportunities to impress, with England travelling to Czechia on Tuesday before facing Croatia the following Saturday and hosting Czechia three days later.
“I’ve just got to come here and show what I can do to everyone and just make sure everyone just understands who I am,” said Ngumoha. “I’m not here just to be like a side part – I want to be a mainstay in the team and hopefully I can stay.
“But there’s good competition everywhere. So it’s about competing with the best players in the world now.”
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