Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha believes he has what it takes to win the Ballon d'Or one day just like England team-mate Harry Kane.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise since becoming the youngest player in Liverpool's history to start a first-team match when he made his debut as a 16-year-old in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley during the 2024-25 season.

He then marked his Premier League debut by scoring a late winner in the Reds' 3-2 win at Newcastle last season.

Ngumoha has made eight league appearances for Andoni Iraola's side this season, but only one of them has come as a starter.

"[Kane winning] has also helped English football because everyone's seen one of us win the Ballon d'Or," he said. "It is definitely encouraging many more people to want to be known as the best player in the world.

"I would like to achieve it and I think I can do it.

"I haven't spoken to him much, really. When I first came, I was a bit shy, so I was keeping myself to myself, but then they got me in the group, and just watching him train, watching all the players train, but especially him, like the finishing drills that you see.

"You can see why he won it and why he's known as the best striker, best player in the world.

"Definitely an inspiration to me, but just to every young player and probably every England player as well. He's a top guy."

Ngumoha narrowly missed the cut for the summer World Cup squad but has been called up for this week's Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.