Liverpool face in-form Brighton as Nigeria-eligible Ngumoha eyes another start

Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha is expected to start against Brighton at Anfield on Sunday, with the England-born teenager continuing to attract attention because he remains eligible to represent Nigeria.

The 17-year-old, born in London on 29 August 2008, featured in Liverpool’s Champions League match against Villarreal at Anfield on Tuesday and could now be handed another opportunity against the Premier League’s form side.

Brighton arrive on a run of four consecutive league victories, scoring 15 goals and keeping four clean sheets during that sequence. They are third in the table with 16 points, while Liverpool are fifth on 12.

The result could therefore have a significant bearing on the gap between the teams, with Liverpool able to move closer to Brighton by taking advantage of home advantage.

Ngumoha’s international future remains undecided. He is listed as eligible for both England and Nigeria, and another start would increase the winger’s experience at senior club level while he retains the option of choosing Nigeria.

There is also a Nigerian connection in the Brighton squad, although Femi Azeez is still waiting to make his competitive debut for the club.

The 25-year-old Nigeria international winger joined Brighton from Millwall on deadline day but has not yet appeared in a competitive match for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.

Hurzeler said this week that Brighton would need to be patient with Azeez as he waits for his opportunity.

“With Femi, again we have to be patient with him,” the Brighton head coach said. He added: “It’s not quite clear how long it will take.”

Soccernet has examined what Azeez’s uncertain return date means for Nigeria’s Eagles.

A demanding test for Ngumoha

If Ngumoha is selected, he will face a Brighton defence that has not conceded in its past four league games. That record presents a different challenge to a young winger than a meeting with a team struggling to keep goals out.

Brighton’s defensive form is the defining statistic before Sunday’s match, while Liverpool will look to the quality of their attack to break through at Anfield.

Ngumoha’s involvement against Villarreal in midweek, followed by the expectation that he will start this weekend, suggests his role is developing. Soccernet also previously previewed an earlier Ngumoha game involving LASK and Liverpool.

Brighton have the stronger recent results, but Liverpool have home advantage and what the source describes as the more powerful attack. Both sides therefore face a difficult contest.

With neither team likely to find victory straightforward, a high-scoring draw appears the fairest outcome.