Liverpool take quartet of Nigerian teenagers on US tour under new boss Iraola

Liverpool have named four teenage prospects of Nigerian descent in their travelling squad for a high-profile pre-season tour of the United States under new manager Andoni Iraola.

The Premier League club flew out from John Lennon Airport on Monday afternoon, heading to a training camp in Chicago before a series of friendlies against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United across three states in North America.

Among the 31-man party are Nigeria-eligible youngsters Josh Abe, Rio Ngumoha, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Josh Sonni-Lambie – a sign of Liverpool’s growing willingness to accelerate academy players towards the first-team set-up.

Rising star already in first-team picture

Ngumoha, 17, is the most advanced of the quartet in his development and has already broken through to the senior squad.

The attacking player has been training regularly with the first team and is viewed within the club as one of the brightest emerging talents in his age group.

His presence on the tour under a new manager will be closely watched, with pre-season often providing a platform for young players to stake a claim for competitive minutes once the campaign begins.

Academy trio promoted to boost senior options

While Ngumoha has some first-team experience, Abe, Ndukwe and Sonni-Lambie are currently members of Liverpool’s academy structure.

All three, however, are eligible to play in the Premier League under Under-21 registration rules, meaning Iraola will have the option of using them in competitive fixtures this season if he chooses.

Their call-ups come at a time when several senior players are yet to return following international duty at the recently concluded 2026 World Cup, leaving gaps in training numbers and pre-season line-ups.

Prolific Abe and Sonni-Lambie rewarded

Forward Josh Abe, 16, signed a scholarship contract with Liverpool this summer, capping a prolific final campaign at schoolboy level.

He hit eight goals and supplied three assists in just 10 Under-18 Premier League appearances last season, form that has accelerated his progression into the pre-season picture.

Sonni-Lambie has enjoyed an equally eye-catching rise.

The forward captured Liverpool’s Under-18 Goal of the Season award and was also shortlisted for the 2025-26 Under-18 Premier League Player of the Season after scoring 21 goals in the campaign.

His scoring record and individual accolades have pushed him onto the radar of the senior staff, and the North American tour will offer a first sustained opportunity to work under Iraola.

Ndukwe arrives after World Cup showcase

Centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe, born in 2008, is a more recent arrival at Anfield, having completed a move from Austrian side Austria Vienna during the close season.

The defender earned his switch to the Premier League club after impressing for Austria at last year’s Fifa Under-17 World Cup, where his performances attracted attention from scouts across Europe.

Liverpool’s decision to integrate him immediately into a senior tour group suggests the club sees significant long-term potential in the teenager.

US fixtures to test depth of squad

Liverpool’s preparations in North America will feature matches against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United over the next two weeks, providing Iraola with a first extended look at his new squad in competitive conditions.

With a blend of established internationals and hungry academy talents, the tour is expected to shape selection decisions ahead of the new Premier League season.

For Abe, Ngumoha, Ndukwe and Sonni-Lambie, the journey to the United States represents a major step in their club careers – and a chance to convince Liverpool’s new manager that they belong on the senior stage.