Even by his prodigious standards, this has been a different week for Rio Ngumoha. After the coming-of-age performance against Villarreal, so followed the slew of attention on social media.

A clip of his best moments during the chaotic 4-3 dispatching of the Spaniards, posted on Uefa’s official X account, attracted 1.2 million views and was liked more than 24,000 times. Hot on the heels came another video, this time when he was 11, when he nutmegged a dumbfounded cameraman.

Ngumoha has always had feet that move as quickly as the hands of street artists who perform tricks with cups and balls: now you see it, now you don’t. We live in an age where talent is quickly amplified and this young England international has it in bundles.

You saw it in those exhilarating 74 minutes: Ngumoha had his most touches in a game this campaign (51), most touches in the opposition box (12) and attempted the most dribbles (10), as well as creating the most chances (three) and providing two assists.

It is the first time an 18-year-old has produced such figures in the Champions League since Opta’s European records began in 2008-09.

Crucially, though, the other thing he possesses is a willingness to learn and listen. Hype can often be as dangerous an opponent for a teenager making their way as any defender, but while others have raved about his Champions League exploits, Andoni Iraola saw something different.

When Liverpool returned to work at Kirkby, the Basque head coach was struck by Ngumoha’s commitment to listen to the aspects he could improve upon if he is to reach the levels that have long been forecasted for him.

“I have found that Rio is very coachable,” says Iraola. “He pays attention, he listens to every information we give. Already the club was working with Rio [before I came], with a lot of young players that are there in between, doing a lot of individual work.

“Even in moments where he wasn’t playing, putting individual clips, doing individual sessions, things we think he can improve; we are continuing this process. We haven’t done anything super special. It’s like: ‘let’s give him confidence.’ He’s the one adding a lot to his game.”

One element that Iraola does not want adding, though, is suffocating expectation, the idea that Ngumoha will do what he did to Villarreal’s tormented defence every week. As much as he is trying to get him to bloom, Iraola is also doing his best to protect his No 73.

As a club, Liverpool are doing the same. They continue in dialogue with his representatives about extending a contract that runs until June 2028 and Liverpool did not pay any attention or give any credence to stories that suggested Bayern Munich were considering moving for him in June.

Liverpool were adamant when they paid £6.8m to sign Ngumoha from Chelsea that they had found a jewel, but Iraola is determined that he won’t be rushed to shine. This is a journey that will not be forced and Iraola is happy for him to find his way.

“I haven’t felt that he’s very affected, positively or negatively, by the things they talk about him,” said Iraola. “I think he’s very focused on the football side, of improving his performances, of trying to get the things that we need from him.

“I think it definitely helps him, it’s not easy when you are 18 and everyone is talking about you, but he knows, I think, that what matters is what is happening today in training, the things that he can add to his game, and I think he’s very focused there.

“Definitely I feel lucky to have him, but I think there is also a moment where we cannot also – just because he has played well – put the expectation straight away super high because it’s not fair for him. He will have to still make mistakes.

“He will have his moments up and down, and this is a natural process that every player goes through. So we cannot straight away put the demands in Rio that are impossible to beat. It’s like we have to go helping him in this process, knowing that he will have good games.”

Iraola added: “Continue to do your job, as good as you can, try to improve the things you can improve and don’t be too affected from the things you can hear. When you do well they are going to praise you, when you do bad they are going to be critics but don’t let those things affect too much the performance.”