Liverpool set to CLASH with England over MAJOR Rio Ngumoha call

Rio Ngumoha has been called up to the England U17 squad for their European Championships qualifiers later this month, but it’s not all good news.

The 16-year-old has made an impressive start to life at Liverpool, wowing fans with his quick footwork and attacking intensity in his few games for the Under-18s side, grabbing his first assist in his second appearance, away to Leeds United.

Ngumoha’s transfer to Liverpool was a real statement of intent by Sporting Director Richard Hughes, who wants the club to be a destination for the best young talent in the country.

Ngumoha is also already being tipped to appear in the first team squad sooner rather than later, following in the footsteps of Trey Nyoni, who was on the bench for the Reds’ recent Champions League win against Bologna.

While his call-up to the England U17 squad is undoubtedly a positive for Ngumoha, it means he will miss some crucial games for the Reds.

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Fixture clash

England's U17 side are scheduled to play three European Championship qualifying games in October.

Upcoming games:

• Malta (H), October 24th

• Latvia (H), October 27th

• Sweden (A), October 30th

Ngumoha will be involved, but will miss Liverpool games that week instead.

Liverpool fixtures that Ngumoha will miss:

• Leipzig (UEFA Youth League), October 23rd

• Sunderland (U18 Premier League), October 26th

• Everton (PL2), October 26th

• Hertha Berlin (Premier League International Cup), October 30th

Liverpool's transfer masterplan

In recent years, Liverpool have put themselves at the top of any young players' list of dream moves, and Ngumoha's signing is proof of that.

The club have become one of the best destinations for top young talents, as seen in the recent acquisitions of Ngumoha and Nyoni who have the potential to join Harvey Elliott as Liverpool first team players who joined as teenagers in big transfers from other English clubs.

Ngumoha's transfer sparked controversy in recent weeks, with Chelsea so upset at losing one of their best prospects that they have banned Liverpool scouts from attending academy games.

His performances so far mean that he will be a big miss for the Reds' various underage sides in coming weeks, but it's easy to see why he's involved at international level.

International U17 games are often scheduled outside of traditional international breaks which is why players can miss club games, but if Ngumoha continues to improve at the same impressive rate it won't be long before he's involved in England U21 camps where fixture clashes won't be a problem.