Why Rio Nguhoma wasn’t involved in Champions League clash

Rio Ngumoha was not involved in Liverpool's Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven, and here is why.

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Arne Slot made a lot of changes in the Reds' squad, knowing little was riding in the club's final game of the league phase.

Liverpool's key stars like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all left at home. Instead, a squad filled with academy starts took off on the plane that travelled to Eindhoven.

But there was one notable exclusion. Rio Ngumoha, who became the club's youngest player against Accrington earlier this month was not on the plane.

And there's a good reason why.

Why Rio Ngumoha didn't play vs PSV

Ngumoha was prevented from featuring in the Reds' defeat against PSV due to UEFA rules.

This is because the youngster was not registered at the start of the season among the Champions League List A squad, which is a category for players born before 1 January 2003.

UEFA rules state players born on, or after 1 January 2003, can join the List B and therefore be registered to play in Champions League games, so long as they have been at the club for at least two years.

Ngumoha obviously does not meet this criteria which is why he would have had to have been registered in the List A squad but those spots were taken up by more senior members of Liverpool's first team squad.

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Should he have been able to feature, Ngumoha would have become the youngest player to make an appearance for the Reds in the Champions League.

Instead, it was Jayden Danns who became the youngest academy player to start a game in the competition for the Reds meanwhile Trey Nyoni became the youngest player ever to make an appearance marking a historic night for Liverpool in the competition.

Ngumoha meanwhile will have to wait for his chance, possibly next season or the season after that once he qualifies for registry on List B.

For now, he will have to continue dazzling for Liverpool in Europe in the UEFA Youth League, where the Reds take on Stuttgart next.

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