Rio Ngumoha was the Liverpool hero in an exciting 3-2 win at Newcastle on Monday night, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry impressed by the 16-year-old.
The teenager became the youngest goal-scorer in Liverpool’s history when he scored the winner 10 minutes into injury time at St James’ Park on his Premier League debut.
It was an incredible finish to a remarkable game which saw the Reds rating the primary two goals of the match and look very comfortable after Anthony Gordon was shown a red card for the house side.
Nevertheless, the Magpies fought very hard and goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula levelled things up late on.
Newcastle were very impressive with 10 men, but they suffered heartbreak on the death because of Ngumoha ending off an excellent move from the visitors.
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The teenager only got here on after 96 minutes, but he quickly impressed Arsenal icon Henry.
‘What I like about him, Rio, is as soon as he got here on and he had the ball he went straight to players 1-vs-1, there was a 1-vs-3 and he didn’t care,’ Hendry said on Sky Sports. ‘He took the ball with desire and can and he got his reward at the top being high and wide.’
The Frenchman did suggest that he continues to be a bit young to be playing frequently, but is looking forward to seeing him again.
‘He announced himself,’ he said. Playing, it’s a bit early. But with the ability to finish like he finished, he looked like a player who has been playing for a really very long time.
‘As soon as he got here on the sector he had that desire, that may to vary the sport.’
Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher does need to see Ngumoha on the pitch again as soon as possible, especially after the summer departure of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich.
‘There’s been something about this lad in pre-season where Liverpool supporters have been getting really excited,’ said Carragher.
‘He’s shown himself in an enormous moment, high pressured moment, composure at such a fragile stage of the sport. He’s got to be involved.’
Reds boss Arne Slot was not surprised to see the young forward find the back of the online, hailing his ending abilities.
‘He can finish very well for his age, how firm his shot was, you don’t see this too often for a 16-year-old,’ said the Dutchman.
‘He’s so confident, that’s what I like, the primary ball he got he immediately took someone on. For him to attain that goal will not be completely coincidence because for his age he’s an incredible finisher.’
The teenager joined Liverpool from Chelsea last 12 months and made his debut for the club within the FA Cup last season, but this was his first Premier League outing. He turns 17 on Friday.
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