Liverpool’s squad for the beginning of the 2024-2025 season includes five rising young talents of Nigerian descent: Emmanuel Airoboma (17), Louis Enahoro-Marcus (18), Lucky Omoruyi (18), Rio Ngumoha (16), and Folami Onanuga (18). All five players are eligible for the club’s U21 team, as Premier League regulations allow players under the age of 21 to participate without being included in the official 25-man squad.
Among the group, Rio Ngumoha is the most recent addition, having joined Liverpool from Chelsea. At just 16, Ngumoha has been integrated into Liverpool’s U18 squad but has also had the chance to train with both the first-team and development squad during the international break. His transfer to Liverpool was a result of a comprehensive five-step evaluation process, signaling the club’s strong belief in his potential. Although young, Ngumoha has already begun to make an impression, working alongside more experienced players in training sessions as he continues his transition into Liverpool’s system.
Meanwhile, Folami Onanuga and Lucky Omoruyi are players who signed their first professional contracts with Liverpool in the previous season. Both remain highly regarded within the club’s development ranks as they continue to hone their skills and mature as players. Onanuga, known for his versatility, and Omoruyi, who has shown a promising ability in front of goal, are seen as integral parts of Liverpool’s future plans, with the potential to break into the senior team as their development progresses.
Emmanuel Airoboma and Louis Enahoro-Marcus are in their second year as academy scholars, having spent time with Liverpool’s youth teams and competed in the U18 Premier League. Airoboma, a midfielder, and Enahoro-Marcus, a central defender hailing from Benin City, have both demonstrated their potential during their time in the academy, with strong performances that have not gone unnoticed. Their involvement in the U18 Premier League has given them valuable experience, helping them refine their abilities and prepare for greater challenges ahead.
Although none of these five young players have yet made an appearance in a Premier League matchday squad, they are viewed as promising talents who could follow in the footsteps of former Liverpool academy graduates like Jordon Ibe, Sheyi Ojo, and Ovie Ejaria. Each of these former academy players eventually progressed to play in the Premier League, highlighting the pathway that exists for young talents at Liverpool. The inclusion of these Nigerian-descended players underscores Liverpool’s ongoing commitment to nurturing and developing young talent, ensuring that the next generation of footballers is well-prepared to contribute at the highest levels of the game.
