Andy Robertson talks up potential new Liverpool weapon after apology for on-pitch outburst

Robertson

Andy Robertson has talked up the improvements being made by Rio Ngumoha on Liverpool’s pre-season schedule and challenged the teenage winger to continue his impressive development on the second leg of their Asian tour.

The young winger, who joined from Chelsea last year, has caught the eye so far across the summer programme and was excellent in a first-half cameo against AC Milan as the Reds eventually slipped to a 4-2 defeat at the Kai Tak Stadium.

Ngumoha scored against Stoke City in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week and followed that up with an exciting showing during the opening 45 minutes against Serie A giants Milan in Hong Kong.

Robertson, who played behind the England youth international on the left side during the first half on Saturday, has been hugely encouraged by what he has seen so far and says the 16-year-old has a bright future if he continues his development at such a pace.

Robertson:

“No, look he’s a good kid and he’s got a fantastic head on his shoulders, and especially when he’s got people like Mo Salah who can help him so much as well,”

“We always try to help him and Trey (Nyoni) you know, they’re so young but they’re such good kids and they have got a hell of a future ahead of themselves.

“So you can just see them coming on (improving) every time and the more they train and play with us, the more they just get better and better.

“Obviously that’s the last two games I’ve played now with Rio in front of me and he just keeps on coming on and he’s got a great future ahead of him but the here and now looks pretty good as well.”

Robertson also apologised for an outburst at the official during the game when he felt was he was denied a clear penalty after attempting to turn inside the penalty area.

Robertson added: “I thought first half it was an even game, we obviously lost the goal on the counter-attack, which is never good, but I thought we created some good chances, some good link-up in the midfield and things like that, so I thought that was pleasing.

“We didn’t really see that in the second half, at that point…obviously the score, you want to win these games but you get a lot out of it and it’s been a tough week in terms of training and there were tired bodies but I think we got enough out of to move forward.

“Sometimes you forget the cameras are on and I got reminded of it at half time, so I apologise for that (frustration with the referee). But I still think it was a penalty!

But look, it’s one of those ones. When I arrive in the box, which is quite rare nowadays, I thought I was clean on goal and the defender stopped me, so I thought it was a penalty but I was just ready to argue with Mo so I could take it instead of him!

“But look, you shouldn’t really swear at the ref, so I apologise for that.”