LIVERPOOL head coach Arne Slot is happy 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha is already influencing games but admits the teenager still has plenty to learn.

Ngumoha, who joined from Chelsea a year ago, has been one of the stand-out players in the Reds’ two matches in the Far East and produced another impressive cameo off the bench, capped by a brilliant individual strike, in a 3-1 over Yokohama F Marinos in Tokyo today.

Liverpool’s spending this summer may be approaching £300million, but Slot believes there is always a place for academy players who can contribute.

“Rio again showed the quality he has and that’s nice for us because we have a lot of very good players,” Slot said at his post-match press conference.

“But to get some very good players through the academy is always helpful and always gives energy to a team as well.

“It’s always nice to see young players from 16, 17 or 18 years old already impacting a game. If you are 16 and you can impact the game like he did, that’s definitely worth a compliment.”

Slot did, however, sound a word of caution.

“There was also a moment in the game where he should have squared it to Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] or Curtis [Jones] so [there are] also learning parts for him,” he added.