Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has urged Rio Ngumoha to ignore increased attention he is receiving and focus on his performances on the pitch.

The 18-year-old was man of the match after providing two assists in the midweek Champions League victory over Villarreal , just days after coming off the bench to change the game at Brentford .

Ngumoha has been in the spotlight ever since his move from Chelsea ’s academy in 2024 and while his career has been on an upward trajectory since making his first-team debut in the FA Cup in January last year the last few weeks have seen him elevated to another level.

Iraola is aware the fickle nature of football means there are likely to be some pitfalls along the way and he is trying to keep the teenager’s feet on the ground.

Rio Ngumoha (right) produced a standout performance in the Champions League in midweek (Reuters)

“I think every player has to focus on performances, on keeping doing well and improving the things he can improve,” he said.

“The outside noise,…