Rio Ngumoha Credits Andy Robertson as Key Mentor During Liverpool Pre-Season

As Liverpool wrapped up their summer tour of Asia and prepared to return home, much of the post-match chatter has focused not on marquee signings or tactical shifts, but on a 16-year-old winger who seems entirely unbothered by the enormity of his surroundings.

Breakthrough moments in Asia for Liverpool starlet

Rio Ngumoha, already a name to watch among Liverpool’s younger cohort, was electric throughout pre-season, most notably in the 4-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos. It wasn’t just the fearless way he took on defenders or his sharp decision-making under pressure—it was the composure. At 16, Ngumoha didn’t just look the part. He belonged.

And amid all the flash of youth was a subtle but significant influence. Not a forward, not a fellow academy graduate, but the rugged, relentless left-back who has become one of Liverpool’s most dependable figures over the past decade.

Robertson’s understated influence off the pitch

“Robbo has really helped me a lot. He’s so experienced and one of the best left-backs in the world,” Ngumoha told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I feel like having him behind me, I can’t really ask for anything more. He’s experienced and teaches me a lot.”

That Robertson’s mentorship has left such a mark shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with Liverpool’s internal dynamics. His voice carries weight in the dressing room, not just for his seniority but for his example—every session, every sprint, every tackle executed with a sense of purpose that young players gravitate toward.

And Ngumoha is not the first to benefit from his presence. The Scot, now 31, is one of those increasingly rare footballers who blends fierce competitiveness with a tangible sense of camaraderie. He is a leader by habit, not appointment.

Why Liverpool must retain Robertson’s influence

With new arrival Milos Kerkez added to the squad and Kostas Tsimikas still on the books, Liverpool’s left-back depth is strong—but unavoidably overcrowded. One departure feels inevitable. Kerkez, brought in as a long-term option, isn’t going anywhere. Tsimikas, younger than Robertson but less central to the club’s emotional spine, feels the likeliest to move on.

Robertson’s impact is now measured not only in crosses completed or tackles won, but in the quiet, formative moments shared with players like Ngumoha. Offloading him might save a few million in wages but would come at the cost of a footballing conscience in a rapidly evolving squad.

Liverpool’s future built on legacy and leadership

For a teenager finding his feet, there can be few better examples than Robertson. That Ngumoha, a wide forward, has found inspiration in a left-back tells you everything about Liverpool’s internal culture—and about the subtle, enduring brilliance of Andy Robertson.