Forgotten Liverpool midfielder scores and Rio Ngumoha assists in friendly win
Liverpool midfielder James Balagizi appeared in a friendly against Blackburn Rovers at U21 level this weekend, while Rio Ngumoha provided an assist in a non-competitive game in Kirkby.
Balagizi played in the Premier League International Cup in January but he has only made two U21 appearances in the league this season because of a hamstring injury. Here, he played 90 minutes and found the back of the net with what proved to be the winner.
Ranel Young, set up by Ngumoha, had earlier opened the scoring around 20 minutes in the game. Joe Boggan pulled one back for the visitor, but Liverpool could have won by more goals with Kieran Morrison and Trent Kone-Doherty missing opportunities to score.
READ MORE: Liverpool may already have secret weapon in $65M transfer battle with Manchester City
READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold's 'private response' to Liverpool backlash amid cryptic Mohamed Salah video
Last season, Balagizi was on loan at Wigan Athletic in League One and Kilmarnock in Scotland but didn't nail down a place. His most successful loan was at Crawley Town, where he played 16 times.
During the international break, Ngumoha scored a brilliant solo goal against Northern Ireland. That was when he was representing England at U17 level; he scored twice and assisted once in the rout. He also came off the bench against Israel and Slovenia.
There are just three Premier League 2 games remaining for Liverpool's U21s this season. Next up is a trip to Brighton on April 6, before a home match against Leeds United on April 13 and a trip to Aston Villa on April 18 close out the season.
Liverpool.com says: Ngumoha is a really exciting winger and while he is raw, his talent is clear. It needs honing substantially before he is ready for senior action on a regular basis but there is a real player in the making there.
Balagizi has been incredibly unfortunate with injuries over the last couple of years. He is another with real talent but he just needs to stay fit and get regular game time somewhere. That probably means a move away permanently when the season comes to an end.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool winger Chiesa keen on Italy return this summer
Federico Chiesa is keen to leave Liverpool and return to Italy in this summer's transfer window. Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus last summer for a fee of £10.9m. However, the winger failed to break into Arne Slot's plans and started just four games across all competitions. He featured for just 104 minutes in the Premier League and is keen to secure regular first-team football. Despite happiness at the club, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chiesa is targeting a return to Serie A in search of minutes. Advertisement Chiesa discussed his future to Corriere dello Sport and said he will sit down with his agent and family this summer. Despite a lack of football, he did not rule out remaining at Anfield. 'The year is over. But it's an experience I would do again,' Chiesa said. 'Soon I will sit down at the table with the club, (my agent) Fali (Ramadani) and my family to find the best solution. I wouldn't mind staying in Liverpool at all.' Several Italian sides have made initial contact for the 27-year-old, who wants to reclaim his place with the national team ahead of next summer's World Cup. Chiesa has not been included in the Italy squad since Euro 2024. Advertisement Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and the addition of another attacker could free Chiesa's exit. Napoli, Inter Milan and former club Fiorentina have all been linked with a move to sign the winger. Read – Midfield Magicians: Juan Sebastian Veron, a f*cking great player See more – Iconic Performances: Rivaldo and the greatest hat-trick ever scored Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Reports: Liverpool and Leverkusen nearing agreement on Wirtz fee
Germany's Florian Wirtz looks dejected after the UEFA Nations League semi final soccer match between Germany and Portugal at Allianz Arena. Christian Charisius/dpa Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly getting closer to an agreement on the sale of Florian Wirtz from Germany to the Premier League champions. Multiple news reports and England and Germany said that the clubs had made progress on the transfer fee during talks on Friday. Advertisement England's Sky TV said that Liverpool have made a third offer of around €134 million ($153 million), including add-ons, for the 22-year-old Germany international playmaker. However, that is still below Leverkusen's asking price of €150 million. Wirtz has a contract until 2027 at last year's Bundesliga champions. Kicker sports magazine said that Leverkusen rejected two previous Liverpool offers of €115 and €130, including add-ons. Wirtz has reportedly agreed to join Liverpool, turning down German champions Bayern Munich who are also interested.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool International Break Roundup: Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate and More
Liverpool International Roundup: Alisson Becker and Ibrahima Konate in Action While club football takes a breath, Liverpool's international contingent continue to log serious minutes for their national teams. First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker maintained his elite form for Brazil, helping his side to a 0-0 draw in Ecuador during Thursday's CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier. Advertisement Though the result left Brazil frustrated in front of goal, it was another commanding display from Alisson. His presence and composure at altitude in Quito were central to securing a clean sheet against a tricky Ecuadorian side. The Liverpool stopper remains the Selecao's undisputed number one as they seek consistency ahead of the 2026 tournament. Alisson's international form mirrors his club success, coming off the back of a Premier League title-winning campaign under Arne Slot. In a side brimming with attacking flair, his reliability continues to provide the foundation at the back. Topsy-Turvy Thriller for Konate in Stuttgart At the other end of the spectrum, Ibrahima Konate endured a far more chaotic evening with France. The Liverpool centre-back was on the pitch for all 90 minutes as Les Bleus fell 5-4 to Spain in a pulsating UEFA Nations League semi-final. Photo: IMAGO In a match that saw both defensive systems tested to the limit, Konate's performance will be scrutinised amid France's collapse. The result sends Didier Deschamps' side into a third-place play-off against hosts Germany, a fixture that now carries more psychological weight than silverware. Advertisement Nevertheless, Konate's full involvement underlines his growing importance for both club and country. Liverpool fans will hope that the experience, albeit a frustrating one, strengthens his resolve as he heads into pre-season preparations. Quiet Night for Endo on Japan Bench Elsewhere, Wataru Endo remained on the sidelines as Japan suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Australia in Asian World Cup qualifying. With his side already assured of progression to the next round, the Liverpool midfielder was spared the physical toll in what was largely a dead rubber. Endo's limited involvement is unlikely to concern Arne Slot, who will value his midfielder's freshness heading into a busy domestic and European schedule next season. In a Liverpool side that may see tactical evolution under the Dutch manager, Endo's intelligence and adaptability remain vital assets. Summer Focus Shifts to Fitness and Reintegration As Liverpool's senior players complete their international obligations, attention now turns to recovery and reintegration into Slot's title-defending plans. While Alisson Becker and Ibrahima Konate showcased both stability and stamina, the physical demands of international football mean Liverpool's medical and performance staff will play a crucial role over the coming weeks. With expectations high at Anfield following a triumphant league campaign, ensuring key players return in peak condition is as vital as any summer transfer deal.
