Thomas Tuchel has already solved Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola’s biggest transfer headache

John Barnes told talkSPORT how pleased he was that Rio Ngumoha did not become a wild card pick in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

And really, that’s an opinion that should be shared by everyone connected to Liverpool – and in particular, new boss Andoni Iraola.

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Ngumoha has just enjoyed the type of breakout season this talkSPORT.com writer predicted him to have last summer.

The 17-year-old added the icing on the cake that was his first full season as a Liverpool player by joining England’s pre-World Cup camp.

He then capped his senior international debut during England’s 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand by being named player of the match.

Such was his eye-catching form that Three Lions boss Tuchel was warned it was a mistake not to have Ngumoha in his 26-man squad.

However, Barnes told the purveyors of that opinion that it wouldn’t aid the teenager’s development to go to the World Cup.

Liverpool icon sends Rio Ngumoha message

“Leave him alone, let him develop,” Liverpool and England legend Barnes told talkSPORT’s Hawskbee and Jacobs last week.

“First of all, he’s not even playing for Liverpool; he’s a sub for Liverpool.

“So until he gets in Liverpool’s team consistently and plays well, don’t put the pressure on him.

“That’s why I’m glad he never played a lot last year in a Liverpool team that may not have been doing well.

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“Because if they’re not doing well and he suffers because of confidence and not playing, it could affect him,” Barnes continued.

“Let him develop slowly, and I’m hoping for Arsenal to do the same with Max Dowman. Just let them develop and leave them alone.

“If you’re not playing for Arsenal and Liverpool regularly, why are you going to be playing for England?”

To expand further on this, Tuchel’s decision to omit Ngumoha will also come as a blessing in disguise for the new Reds boss, Iraola.

Iraola eager to work with Liverpool youngsters

The 43-year-old made a point of stressing how much he is relishing working with Liverpool’s academy talents in pre-season upon his unveiling at Anfield earlier this month.

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“We will have a chance to work especially with some of the young players, because a lot of senior players will be out and arriving later,” Ex-Bournemouth manager Iraola explained to LFCTV.

“I think it gives us the chance to know better the players from the academy, some of the players who have been on loan.

“They will be an important part of the first part of pre-season, the American tour, and I think in that way it works very well for us.

“It will give us a lot of information before we make decisions before we start the season.”

In the case of Ngumoha, it is critical for both the player and club that he has the opportunity to hit the ground running under Iraola.

His dazzling appearances during pre-season last summer, which included two goals and starts in each of Liverpool’s first three friendlies, saw him force his way into becoming a fully-fledged member of Arne Slot’s squad.

Yet Ngumoha’s sporadic gametime over the course of the 2025/26 campaign became an increasing source of concern for fans.

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The London-born forward announced himself when he became Liverpool’s youngest scorer with his 100th-minute winner in the 3-2 victory over Newcastle in August.

But Ngumoha was afforded just 10 senior starts by Slot last season – only five of which came in the Premier League.

That opened the door for European giants, such as Bayern Munich, to publicly register their interest in prizing him away from Anfield.

An impressive cameo at the World Cup would amplify the noise surrounding him, especially considering the level of media attention.

Look no further than Liverpool target Yan Diomande, who was grilled over his club future following Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador.

Ngumoha, who is two years the RB Leipzig man’s junior, hasn’t matured enough to cope with that level of intense scrutiny that comes with being a trending transfer, nor should he be at his age.

It wouldn’t help either that there are no current Liverpool players in Tuchel’s squad to even help him navigate such situations.

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Diomande and Barcola transfer to Liverpool

Ngumoha’s situation aside – it’s also no secret, too, that the Reds are also in the market to strengthen in his position this summer.

talkSPORT reported in February how Liverpool identified immense talent Diomande as a potential Mohamed Salah replacement.

Bradley Barcola is another name high on the club’s list, with talkSPORT understanding he has asked to leave Paris Saint-Germain.

The Frenchman and Diomande are both at the World Cup, meaning their futures likely won’t be concluded until after the tournament.

By which time Ngumoha will have had the chance to work under Iraola and see how he fits into the new regime on Merseyside.

Does he continue on his favoured left wing, or does Iraola take a leaf out of Tuchel’s book by playing him on the right, where he starred against New Zealand?

The one-cap Three Lions star only left Chelsea‘s Cobham set-up for Liverpool because he found his pathway to the first-team blocked.

It doesn’t send the greatest message to Ngumoha that he’s the future of Liverpool’s attack if the Reds break the bank for another winger who can play both flanks, only a couple of years older than him, before he’s played a single game under Iraola.

And for Iraola, his first weeks into his reign don’t have to be overshadowed by constant headlines over the teenager’s future.

Thanks to Tuchel, that’s a headache well avoided!