Rio Ngumoha has made 44 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Chelsea in 2024, with the winger saying the move was a 'no-brainer' after the club offered a clear pathway to the first team

Rio Ngumoha says his "no-brainer" switch to Liverpool has proved to be the correct decision.

The teenage winger is currently with the England squad in preparation for Thursday's UEFA Nations League fixture at home to Croatia, having made an impressive start to the campaign with the Reds.

Having had stints at both West Ham United and Arsenal before joining Chelsea at just eight years of age, Ngumoha chose to put pen to paper for Liverpool in 2024, attracted by what he perceived as a more accessible route into the first team.

That decision is now bearing fruit with 44 appearances for the Reds, as the youngster has firmly established himself as a fan favourite amongst Liverpool supporters, whom he regards as "the best in the world.

"I feel like I needed a new challenge," he said. "I feel like if I stayed at Chelsea - not saying that I wouldn't have got to the first team as quick, because I believe in my ability, but I feel like Liverpool just gave me a new pathway. The plan that they set for me was straightforward really.

"For me, it was a no-brainer going to Liverpool, and they just said if I prove myself, because they know how much ability I had, then they know that I would definitely be a first-team player and definitely a star for them in the making.

"I think going to Liverpool so far has been the right choice."

Ngumoha also believes he can emulate Harry Kane and claim the Ballon d'Or - and that his "no-brainer" switch to Liverpool has proved to be the correct decision.

Kane last week became just the fifth Englishman to secure the Ballon d'Or following his performances with the Three Lions at the World Cup and with Bayern Munich in Germany.

The English top flight has produced the winner of the prestigious honour merely three times across the past 58 years, with Michael Owen the sole Englishman to claim the prize while representing a domestic side during that period when he succeeded with Liverpool in 2001.

Throughout the same timeframe, Barcelona have supplied the winner on 11 occasions, followed by Real Madrid (nine), AC Milan (eight), Juventus (seven) and Bayern Munich (six).

And Ngumoha - who has yet to sign a new contract with Liverpool as he enters the final 18 months of his existing agreement - has reaffirmed his ambition is to be crowned the world's finest player.

"Yeah, 100%," said the 18 year old. "Harry Kane winning the Ballon d'Or is definitely a big, big thing, being known as the best player in the world.

"It's also helped English football now because everyone's seen one of us win the Ballon d'Or, it is definitely encouraging many more people to wanting to definitely be known as the best player in the world. For me, I would like to achieve it and I think I can do it."

Ngumoha added: "I feel like if you don't visualize anything or you don't dream big enough, then you might not ever achieve it. So I think just having the belief and the force in your mind thinking, one day I can play for England."