Why Liverpool changed their mind about Bradley Barcola’s transfer is justified by Rio Ngumoha’s Premier League goal

Why Liverpool changed their mind about Bradley Barcola’s transfer is justified by Rio Ngumoha’s Premier League goal

Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha celebrates on August 25, 2025

According to Reds transfer expert David Lynch, Rio Ngumoha’s rise justifies Liverpool’s decision to pass on Bradley Barcola.

On Monday night, the Merseysiders defeated Newcastle United 3-2, but they needed a goal from 16-year-old Ngumoha in the 100th minute to win.

The teenager’s goal has reinforced the argument that the Reds do not need to sign a winger this summer, even though Arne Slot can consider himself lucky to have left St. James’ Park with all three points.

“Sometimes you report things that people don’t want to hear, so you might get stick on social media,” Lynch told Sports Mole, defending the Reds’ decision to pass on Bradley Barcola, who had been linked to the club from Paris Saint-Germain.

“People believed it to be a justification for not transferring. Others have stated that they didn’t want to sign Barcola because they didn’t want to obstruct Rio’s path, though I didn’t specifically report this line.

“That sounds like a justification for not transferring money, which is why people dislike hearing it, but in this instance, it’s actually true. The game emphasizes their belief that they possess a unique talent and that it is impossible to stop them when they emerge.

Barcola had been linked to the Reds on a provisional basis, but since the winger plays on the left like Ngumoha and is likely to start for that team for several seasons, maybe it

Despite his partner Ibrahima Konate’s subpar performance, center-back Virgil van Dijk was another player to make an impression against Newcastle.

Despite being 34 years old, the Dutchman made 13 clearances and won five aerial duels, which is remarkable given the Magpies’ 22 set pieces.

Given that Conor Bradley was not fit for the game and Jeremie Frimpong was out with a hamstring injury, Dominik Szoboszlai was chosen to start at right-back against Newcastle.

The choice to fake Mohamed Salah’s pass to Ngumoha resulted in the game-winning goal. The midfielder was crucial to the Reds on both ends of the field.