Tuchel's bold claim about Liverpool's teenage starlet

Thomas Tuchel does not throw compliments around carelessly, which makes what he said about Rio Ngumoha all the more striking. Asked ahead of England's 7-0 demolition of Croatia about the number of Three Lions attackers now playing their football abroad, the England head coach acknowledged the trend but immediately pivoted to Ngumoha as proof that homegrown talent is alive and well. "He seems to be pretty decisive," Tuchel said, before adding: "I think we have options." For a manager who invoked Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in the same breath, that is high praise indeed for an 18-year-old still working his way into first-team consideration at Liverpool.

Tuchel's full quote is worth sitting with: "Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane were decisive for us in the World Cup and I see no reason they won't be in the future. It's good that Anthony has stepped up now. He is the third one. There is obviously a relevance to them playing abroad, but I don't see that a player who plays in the Premier League cannot step up and be decisive for us. We have our youngest player in Rio Ngumoha, he seems to be pretty decisive." The fact that Ngumoha is being name-dropped alongside those calibre of players, even as the youngest member of the squad, tells you everything about the impression he has made on the international set-up.

From the bench to Bellingham's company in a matter of weeks

The trajectory has been remarkable, even if Ngumoha himself would insist there is nothing to get carried away about just yet. He made his England debut as a second-half substitute in a warm-up friendly against New Zealand ahead of this summer's World Cup, and last week was handed his first competitive outing when England beat Czechia 2-0. Two caps in, and he is already drawing comparisons from his own manager to some of the most decorated English players of recent times.

Back at club level, the picture is one of patient, careful development. Ngumoha has made five appearances under Andoni Iraola so far this season, competing for opportunities in a forward line that also includes Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz. That is no straightforward queue to jump, and Liverpool are clearly being thoughtful about how they bring him along. Club and country appear to be singing from the same hymn sheet on that front, which bodes well for how his development will be managed over the months ahead.

What comes next for Ngumoha and Liverpool

Ngumoha could earn his third England cap on Tuesday night when the Three Lions round off their September/October break with a second fixture against Czechia. If Tuchel keeps faith with him, it will represent another step in what is shaping up to be a rapid international education for someone still finding his feet in senior football.

Once the international window closes, attention snaps back to Anfield and a schedule that will test everyone in the squad. Liverpool face nine matches in 28 days, and that run begins with Premier League leaders Manchester City visiting Anfield. Whether Ngumoha forces his way into Iraola's thinking for those fixtures remains to be seen, but Tuchel's very public endorsement will do nothing to dull expectations. A Liverpool teenager with his manager's trust and his international boss's admiration, this one is only going to get more interesting.