‘A complete threat’: Rio Ngumoha’s electric display excites Van Dijk and Liverpool

The shot sailed wide of Peter Gulacsi’s top corner and into the Kop, affording Villarreal much-needed respite at 4-2, but for Andoni Iraola it was a standout moment in a scintillating Champions League display from Rio Ngumoha. To a coach who called for versatility from all of his wingers this summer, here was a significant step forward among many from the 18-year-old at Anfield.

There were questions over how Ngumoha would adapt to playing on the right even before Liverpool increased the likelihood by signing Bradley Barcola for £123m from Paris Saint-Germain. On his fifth start under Iraola on Tuesday, which his side won 4-3, Liverpool witnessed an answer: quickly, incisively and confidently. The teenager’s willingness to cut inside from the right and shoot from distance with his left foot captured Iraola’s imagination as much as the devastating run that created Alexis Mac Allister’s second goal of the game.

Related: Mac Allister double sparks Liverpool’s thrilling comeback win over Villarreal

“I’m happy with his attitude because he’s eager to improve the things that we think he needs to improve,” the Liverpool head coach said after the comeback win against their Spanish opponents. “He has played a lot on the right lately. He’s feeling so comfortable now that he’s even adding some shots with the left. He hasn’t scored but he’s getting there, and if he can add these small things to his game it will put him in an even better position.”

Ngumoha’s 71st-minute attempt was reminiscent of Mohamed Salah in its intent, if not in execution. The Liverpool great’s final season at Anfield may have been the exception to the exceptional in terms of his own contribution but, as an education to a gifted and hungry young winger, it was not wasted.

Virgil van Dijk noted that “a few senior players” have taken Ngumoha under their wing. “I would say Cody [Gakpo] is definitely part of that. Everyone is chipping in but for him to work with Mo last year was obviously massive. Mo was one of the best wingers at the club and experienced everything so why not soak in all the information and show it on the pitch and show your own qualities? I think he has shown it this season but there is still much more to come. He’s pretty electric at times and he showed it again. He was a complete threat constantly and their defender had a tough time.”

The Salah comparison was not the only throwback for Liverpool against Villarreal. It was a flawed performance with Van Dijk’s early mistake, Iraola’s initial formation and Liverpool’s lethargy on the ball all punished by Iñigo Pérez’s slick side. “It was a terrible start,” the Liverpool captain said. “I think the saying is you fight an uphill battle and as a defender it is pretty difficult to come back from it. I tried but it was a bad day at the office personally but we do it together with 11 players. We turned it around and that’s the main thing.”

The rousing recovery, the relentless high press, Iraola’s bold changes and the character required to overturn a 2-0 deficit all carried echoes of the Jürgen Klopp era. Given that was where Liverpool wished to return when replacing Arne Slot with the Basque coach this summer, Iraola’s 11th game in charge showed development is not confined only to Ngumoha.

Van Dijk said: “If you look at it from that perspective, it is like that. We train a lot, tactically as well, but because there are so many games you learn playing games and this was a test in that sense because Villarreal were good on the ball. They also rotated a lot so you have to find moments when you can press them and when you can win the ball high.

“Is this squad used to that [pressing style] because I don’t think many players have been part of that? What the manager wants us to do is something which resonates with Liverpool and it is down to us to show it in each and every game. It’s not easy, it’s demanding, but if you want to win games and win games in the Liverpool way then we have to do it.

“The first half was obviously not good at all and the second half was solid and we turned it around and that’s a good sign. Now we have to get ready for Brighton, a super team, which is coming.”