NEW YORK - Liverpool's 1-0 preseason win against Wrexham on Wednesday drew focus to a message displayed in the stands as the match wound down.

"Rio, can I have your shirt?" read the banner. It reflected the growing support for teenage star Rio Ngumoha inside Yankee Stadium, where the young talent once more proved his value.

His goal, a deflected effort in the 75th minute, lacked style but highlighted how the 17-year-old can influence games at key times. Following a strong debut campaign at Anfield, expectations are high that he will become a central figure under new manager Andoni Iraola.

"The goal was a bit of luck but every minute that we get in preseason is very important," Ngumoha told ESPN after the game. "As you can see, we're just getting fitter, sharper and better."

It stood out that Ngumoha operated on the right after entering at halftime, even though he prefers the left. Only hours earlier, reports emerged that Liverpool plan to bid for Paris Saint-Germain attacker Bradley Barcola to strengthen their attack after Mohamed Salah's exit.

Sources confirmed to ESPN that Liverpool will submit an offer once informal discussions with Barcola's camp showed the 23-year-old is open to a move. The development led former defender Jamie Carragher to question the sense of adding another left-sided attacker while leaving the right flank thin.

"Liverpool currently have three players who could play from the left in Rio, [Cody] Gakpo and [Florian] Wirtz and no one who plays from the right," Carragher posted.

By deploying Ngumoha on the right versus Wrexham, Iraola may have signaled that the youngster is seen as a solution to the gap left by Salah.

"Any position - right wing, left wing - I just try my best especially on the ball just to beat my man as best as I can," Ngumoha said. "Today obviously I was a bit rusty but the more I keep learning in training and games, I'll definitely improve. To be adaptable is a skill that I need, definitely."

Ngumoha's progress at Liverpool has already been notable. After joining the academy from Chelsea in 2024, he became the youngest player to start a senior match when debuting against Accrington Stanley in January 2025.

His rapid ascent reached new heights last season when, just before turning 17, he scored the winner against Newcastle United in the Premier League, setting a club record as the youngest goalscorer. His form earned a call-up from England manager Thomas Tuchel for World Cup training, where he impressed in a 1-0 victory over New Zealand.

Caution remains necessary to protect his long-term development. Former coach Arne Slot limited his minutes last year, and Iraola, known for nurturing youth, is expected to follow suit.

Even with a potential deal for Barcola, Liverpool may still need further attacking reinforcements. Alexander Isak and Wirtz have joined the squad in the United States and could feature against Leeds United in Chicago on Sunday, while Gakpo trains back in England.

Víctor Muñoz, signed from Osasuna for £34.5 million last month, will arrive later after Spain's World Cup win. Yet with Hugo Ekitike out injured and uncertainty around several forwards, more options could be needed.

The lack of senior players this summer has allowed Iraola to give game time to academy talents, with forwards Kieran Morrison and Lewis Koumas also shining.

"Good performances from young players, which I think is always good," Iraola told club media. "I think both Koumas and Will [Wright] have done a very good job today. They were helping us on the press, helping us also attacking the spaces, linking up also with Harvey [Elliott], with Dom [Szoboszlai], with the players behind them. Both of them have done a good job."

Ngumoha remains the standout young prospect.

"Last season was really important for me," the forward said. "Obviously, team performances weren't great which we know but being in that environment where the team's not doing well, it can help me so when we're doing well I can just improve and keep learning."

Ngumoha is not yet complete and has more to learn. Still, if he maintains his upward path, Liverpool could have a major talent emerging.