✅🚨🚨✅BREAKING NEWS: "I'm happy I score today but he's the reason behind my goal. He stupidly said that to me in the dressing room cause I was in support of the Red card. And I told him he better pray I don't get a chance today cause if I do I and the fans will send him back home cry and we did it together. Next time he doesn't test my patience and potential ever again."

FULL STORY: LINK IN COMMENTS👇

Why everyone is talking about Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha,

Rio Ngumoha announced himself to the world of football on Aug. 25, 2025 when he stepped off the bench to score a dramatic winner in the 10th minute of stoppage time for Liverpool at Newcastle United.

Aged 16 years and 361 days, Ngumoha became Liverpool's youngest-ever goal scorer -- and the fourth youngest across all clubs in the Premier League era.

If Liverpool's plethora of world-class summer signings, at a cost of over £200 million, didn't already stir up enough excitement among supporters, the emergence of Ngumoha has surely added the finishing touch.

Rio Ngumoha celebrates after scoring deep into stoppage time against Newcastle. Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

A prodigious attacking midfielder, whose name has long circulated in youth-football circles, Ngumoha had already given a glimpse of his potential when became the youngest Liverpool player (16 years, 135 days) to appear in the FA Cup when given a start against Accrington Stanley in January 2025 (his only senior appearance before his heroics at St James' Park.)

In Liverpool's final preseason clash against Athletic Club at Anfield, the teenager gave a hint of his potential from the first whistle. With only two minutes on the clock, Ngumoha scored a brilliant individual goal which encapsulated many of his skills. Picking up the ball in his own half, he forcefully nudged midfielder Curtis Jones aside then surged forward in a determined fashion before rifling a strike into the net from the edge of the area.

ABSOLUTELY ASTONISHING. 😵

16-YEAR-OLD RIO NGUMOHA WINS IT FOR LIVERPOOL IN STOPPAGE TIME ON HIS PREMIER LEAGUE DEBUT. pic.twitter.com/ou5jjRhcyv

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 25, 2025

Initially a standout player in Chelsea's academy, Ngumoha was considered such a talent that Liverpool scouts were reportedly denied access to Cobham once word of the Merseyside club's interest spread. But Chelsea's grip eventually loosened and, in April of last year, Liverpool won the race for his signature before his performances for England at under-15 level and in the UEFA Youth League added to his growing reputation.

Ngumoha turns 17 on Aug. 29, a milestone expected to coincide with the signing of his first professional contract. Liverpool have even bent their usually rigid wage policy for academy graduates to secure the London-born prospect, who is of Nigerian descent, and hopes are high that he can make an impact on the first-team this season.

Position

Right footed and predominantly operating on the left flank, where he likes to cut inside, Ngumoha isn't your typical wide playmaker. He's not someone who demands constant ball contact to orchestrate moves; instead, he thrives on finding space to isolate his opponents in one-vs.-ones.

The graphic above shows how he can start moves from deep with take-ons, and primarily looks to influence play on the left side of the final third with passes, dribbles and shots.

Strengths

Ngumoha's goal against Athletic Club highlighted several of his defining qualities: excellent dribbling (potentially one of the best Liverpool have had in years), composure under pressure, and an insatiable desire to head goalward once space opens up. Last season, he averaged over 10 take-ons per game at youth level, which is a staggering figure even in the highest youth categories.

Unlike many his age, Ngumoha is no stranger to physical contact. Standing at 5-foot-7, he may not be tall, but is powerfully built, compact and fearless in duels (which might even open up the option of playing him as a box-to-box No. 8 midfielder.) He's a player who accelerates off the mark like a sprinter and his ability to reach high speeds from a standing start adds to his threat. Furthermore, though it's a common optical illusion in football, he is one of those players who appea

rs faster when running with the ball than without it.