Michail Antonio says Liverpool wonderkid will set Champions League alight this season, he didn’t even hesitate

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Liverpool will begin their Champions League campaign this week, and Michail Antonio has tipped one of their wonderkids to set the competition alight.

The Reds have been faultless so far this season, winning four from four in the Premier League in their bid to defend their crown, and they will be determined to also hit the ground running in Europe.

Arne Slot is blessed with a squad bursting with attacking talent, and the likes of Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are sure to dazzle on the biggest of stages.

But they will also need to call upon players who aren’t guaranteed starters, and that will be an opportunity for one of their shining teenage talents to make a name for himself against Europe’s very best.

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Michail Antonio tips Rio Ngumoha to be Champions League’s breakout star

That player, of course, is 17-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha, who has delivered several stunning performances already this season.

Jeremie Frimpong used the word “skilful” to describe Ngumoha, and he is destined for a big future.

He has been so impressive, in fact, that Slot included him in his Champions League squad ahead of experienced winger Federico Chiesa, despite his lack of experience at the top level.

But Antonio is confident Slot has made the correct decision, and the former West Ham striker turned pundit has selected him as his pick to be the competition’s breakout star.

Put on the spot in an Instagram video for TNT Sports, Antonio didn’t even hesitate in choosing Ngumoha.

Slot hasn’t been afraid to bring on the wonderkid when Liverpool have been hunting late goals, and he has been repaid spectacularly, meaning Antonio’s prediction isn’t as outlandish as it may seem at first.

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Arne Slot reveals what makes Rio Ngumoha so special

Ngumoha needed just one chance to burst into the spotlight after he scored the last-gasp winner against Newcastle at St James’ Park back in August.

Dominik Szoboszlai had dummied Mohamed Salah’s cross to free up Ngumoha and the prodigy made no mistake, crashing the ball into the back of the net with 100 minutes on the clock.

Slot has praised the talent on several occasions, and speaking after his memorable goal on Tyneside, the Reds boss revealed exactly how he was so special despite being so young.

“He’s a player that can finish really well for his age,” Slot said. “How firm his shot was, you don’t see this often for a 16-year-old.

“I did hear someone afterwards in the dressing room, I won’t say who, said they would have taken that ball, have a first touch, then finish it off. But he is so confident.

“That’s what I like, because the first ball he got, he wasn’t afraid. He immediately took someone on. When the second player came, he got across him, and for him to score that goal is not completely a coincidence because for his age, he is an amazing finisher.”

Ngumoha has the ability to go right to the top, and it would be fitting for him to take the next step on his incredible journey by lighting up the Champions League.