Andy Robertson has appeared to call out youngster Rio Ngumoha, with an x-rated comment from the Scottish star overheard in new Liverpool pre-season training footage.
It comes after the legendary Scottish left back got a closer look at the 16-year-old's full potential during Liverpool's pre-season defeat to AC Milan on Saturday.
Ngumoha started on the left of a star-studded front three, alongside Florian Wirtz and Mo Salah.
After the game in Hong Kong, which ended in a 4-2 defeat for Liverpool, Robertson was full of praise for the England youth international.
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He told The Anfield Wrap: "He's a good kid and he’s got a fantastic head on his shoulders, especially when he’s got people like Mo Salah who can help him so much as well.
"We always try to help him and Trey [Nyoni].
"They're so young but they’re such good kids and they've got a hell of a future ahead of themselves.
"You can just see them coming on every time and the more they train and play with us, the more they just get better and better. Obviously that's the last two games I've played now with Rio in front of me and he just keeps on coming on.
"He's got a hell of a future ahead of him but the here-and-now looks pretty good as well."
However, Robertson was less complimentary of his teammate during a pre-season possession drill.
In a video posted by @TheRedmenTV on X, Robertson appeared to shout: "Ah Rio, f***ing complacency ya wee d**k."
It is not clear what Ngumoha did to frustrate the Scotsman, but it highlights how promising youngsters can be kept grounded by experienced teammates.
How good is Rio Ngumoha?
He is still only 16, so he has a long career ahead of him, and he is highly regarded at Anfield.
After time in Chelsea's academy, Nguomha joined the Reds last summer.
He was called up to the first-team squad for the first time in December 2024 for an EFL Cup tie.
And he was given his debut just a month later in an FA Cup third round tie against Accrington Stanley.
In doing so he became the youngest ever starter in Liverpool's history.
Nguomha is also not short on confidence on what he believes he can achieve within the game.
Speaking on an episode of Inside The Academy late last year, Ngumoha said: "I truly believe I can win the Ballon d'Or one day.
"I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game."
Topics: Football, Andy Robertson, Premier League, Andrew Robertson, Liverpool
James Taylor