Rio Ngumoha has told reporters while on England duty that he believes he can one day win the Ballon d’Or, and that leaving Chelsea for Liverpool was a “no-brainer”. Manchester United’s senior figures are meeting in Monaco today to discuss Michael Carrick’s future, with the trip to Anfield just 11 days away.
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel has ruled Liverpool should have had a penalty against Arsenal, Dominik Szoboszlai missed Hungary’s first training session because of his knee sprain, Virgil van Dijk took the squad to the club museum, and Víctor Muñoz has won Liverpool’s Goal of the Month for October.
Ngumoha: ‘I think I can do it’
Rio Ngumoha, 18, says Harry Kane becoming the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or in 25 years has convinced him he can do the same. “It’s also helped English football now 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. For me, I would like to achieve it and I think I can do it.”
He also explained why he left Chelsea’s academy for Liverpool in 2024. “I feel like I needed a new challenge,” he said. “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 is in England’s squad to face Croatia at Wembley on Thursday and Spain in Madrid on Sunday, both at 7.45pm UK time.
Panel says Isak should have had a penalty
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel has ruled that Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty against Arsenal at Anfield on 1 November, when Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt as he tried to head Bradley Barcola’s cross in the 21st minute. Referee Andy Madley gave nothing and VAR Stuart Attwell checked and cleared it. The panel voted 4-1 that a penalty should have been given on the field and 3-2 that VAR should have intervened, and agreed unanimously that it was not a red card. Arsenal won the game 1-0.
United discuss Carrick’s future today
Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox meet Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco today, with Michael Carrick’s future the main item on the agenda. BBC Sport says the pair are expected to recommend his dismissal, although the Glazer family will also be consulted and any announcement may not come until Thursday. United are 18th in the Premier League.
Credibility: High for the meeting. Carrick’s dismissal has not been confirmed.
Szoboszlai misses Hungary training
Dominik Szoboszlai, 26, did not train with Hungary’s squad at Telki on Tuesday and did rehabilitation work instead because of his knee sprain, Hungarian media report. The Hungarian Football Federation has said a decision on whether he plays will almost certainly not be made until the last minute. Hungary play Georgia away on Saturday at 5pm UK time.
The same reports say Milos Kerkez trained apart from the group on an individual programme. No reason was given.
LFC Women tonight
Liverpool Women host Aston Villa in the Subway Players Cup at St Helens Stadium tonight at 7pm. Gareth Taylor has said he may make changes after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at Anfield. Supporters can watch the match live on Liverpool’s YouTube channel, with coverage starting at 6.45pm.
Injury picture
There has been no new injury update from the club overnight. Van Dijk (niggle) has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad, and Ryan Gravenberch (heel fracture) is also out of it. Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitiké and Giovanni Leoni were all unavailable at the club’s last update.
Van Dijk takes squad to the museum
Liverpool have revealed that Virgil van Dijk organised a squad visit to the LFC Museum at Anfield last week. The players toured the exhibitions on the club’s history since 1892, heard a presentation from the LFC Foundation about its community work and finished with a team photo on the Kop.
Muñoz wins Goal of the Month
Víctor Muñoz has won Liverpool’s Goal of the Month for October, voted for by supporters, for his equaliser in the 2-1 win at Brentford. Natalia Ramos’ long-range strike for the Women’s team at Aston Villa came second, and the first goal of Bradley Barcola’s hat-trick against LASK was third.
Transfers
There are no confirmed transfer developments this morning, and nothing on Liverpool’s plans from the likes of David Ornstein and Paul Joyce.
Bart Verbruggen: Football Insider, a clickbait site, claimed last week that Liverpool are considering a move for the 24-year-old Brighton goalkeeper as a long-term successor to Alisson. There is no new supporting evidence. Credibility: Low.
There have been no significant developments from reliable sources concerning contracts, ownership, investment or senior club staffing.
Fixtures (UK times)
Sun 22 Nov: Manchester United (h) Premier League 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
Wed 25 Nov: Club Brugge (a) Champions League 8pm (TNT Sports)
Sun 29 Nov: Everton (a) Premier League 12pm (TNT Sports)
