Liverpool is poised to include a clever ‘car clause’ in wonderkid Rio Ngumoha’s contract next month — a perk not even senior players receive.

Liverpool are preparing to include a special “car clause” in Rio Ngumoha’s first professional contract if he signs when he turns 17.

Ngumoha, who can play as a winger or attacking midfielder, made history last season as Liverpool’s youngest-ever first-team player. At just 16 years and 135 days old, he started in the FA Cup third-round match against Accrington Stanley in January.

Since October 2024, Ngumoha has been training fairly regularly with the first team, with Anfield Watch noting that he has been impressively unsettling more experienced players. Manager Arne Slot and his coaching staff are reportedly highly impressed by Ngumoha’s talent.

According to journalist David Lynch, there’s a strong chance Ngumoha will sign professional terms after his 17th birthday next month. If he does, the ex-Chelsea youth player will be looking to secure more first-team minutes this season. He was in the starting lineup for a pre-season friendly against Preston North End, stepping in for absent senior players.

Regardless of how much first-team action he gets, Ngumoha will still be required to accept Liverpool’s academy “car clause.” All youth players must sign this agreement, which aims to keep them humble as they progress. While there’s no specific restriction on the kind of car they can drive, any vehicle must be approved by academy staff before being allowed in the club’s parking lot.

Back in 2023, academy manager Alex Inglethorpe discussed the purpose of the clause on the We are Liverpool podcast with Robbie Fowler. He said they discourage flashy vehicles like Range Rovers, not just to avoid drawing unnecessary attention from coaches but also to maintain respect among senior players.

Inglethorpe emphasized that players should demonstrate humility, just as veterans like James Milner, Jordan Henderson, and Andy Robertson once did when they first arrived. He stressed the importance of delayed gratification and warned against trying to impress too soon.

“If I don’t approve of their car,” he said, “they can park it at the David Lloyd gym—but it won’t be at the academy.”