Only in his wildest dreams could Rio Ngumoha have imagined he would make such a dramatic impact on his Premier League debut.
Well, fantasy turned to reality last night for the Liverpool teenager after he found the net to give his side a 3-2 win at Newcastle United.
In the 10th minute of added time, Ngumoha rifled home a superb shot to become their youngest scorer ever, aged 16 years and 361 days.
It was the stuff of fairytales and here DAZN News examines the precociously talented teenager’s emergence.
Ngumoha was born and raised in East London and spent time in the youth ranks at West Ham and Arsenal before moving across the capital to join Chelsea.
The England Under-17 international left the Blues to join Liverpool’s Academy in September 2024 and it was clear then his star was on the rise.
At the time, legendary former Chelsea captain John Terry wrote: “This boy is and will be a top player.”
A lively left-sided forward, who can play anywhere across the front line, Ngumoha featured for the U18s and U21s during 2024-25.
He was also handed his senior Reds debut by Arne Slot when he started against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup in January 2025.
Ngumoha went on to impress in pre-season earlier this summer, scoring in a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at Anfield.
That came on the back of an assist against AC Milan and a goal against Yokohama F. Marinos in Asian friendlies – and confirmed he was in Slot’s thinking this season.
It was the sixth minute of added time at St James' Park last night when Slot turned to Ngumoha and told him that his moment had arrived.
The Premier League champions had let slip a two-goal lead before Slot summoned Ngumoha from the bench in a last roll of the dice.
And then, in the 10th of 11 minutes of added time, Mohamed Salah crossed low from the right flank.
Dominik Szoboszlai cleverly allowed the ball to run invitingly into the path of the unmarked Ngumoha, who curled in a superb right-foot shot.
That winning goal made him the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League history, behind James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney.
When the ball hit the back of the net, Ngumoha was a picture of pure delight.
He looked up at the Liverpool fans up in the gods behind the goal where he had scored and leapt in the air before racing to the left-hand corner flag.
He was mobbed by his team-mates as he celebrated right in front of the Newcastle supporters, much to their displeasure.
Still, it was all in a good cause. Liverpool had won the game and Ngumoha had announced himself on the big stage.
All the talk after last night’s game was of the 16-year-old boy who had just won a game of Premier League football.
History was made as Ngumoha grabbed the headlines and he told Liverpoolfc.com post-match: “I’m so happy to score, especially the winner.
“You just have to come on and make an impact and thank God that I did that.
“It was just a proud moment, but you can’t get too carried away with all the noise.
“Like I said, because at the end of the day I probably do that finish 100 times on the training ground so it’s no different with the fans here.
“But obviously the fans backing you there, it’s just crazy.
“I’m 16 but I don’t want my age to show that I can’t play with the older players.
“I want to prove a point that I can play with not just people my age but many ages above.
“But like I said, there are people at the club who are always helping me and I’m always learning and improving, so I can’t complain.”
.Reds boss Slot said: “It was a great goal for a 16-year-old. Rio can finish so well for his age.
“I did hear someone say afterwards in the dressing room he would have taken a first touch but he is so confident.”
Liverpool captain Virgin van Dijk told Sky Sports: "It's a dream debut for him.
“I'm very pleased for Rio, I've said it to him already it all starts now, he has to keep working hard and stay humble but definitely have to enjoy this because these nights, you can't take them for granted if you're in his position.”
Former Arsenal forward and Premier League great Thierry Henry told Sky Sports that Ngumoha had experienced an important career moment.
"He announced himself," Henry said. "He looked like a player that had been playing for a very long time with the way he finished."
Whether or not the teenager will play any part against Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday remains to be seen.
But there would be a certain romance to him making another key contribution against the club where he spent time during his formative years.
With Liverpool fighting on four fronts in the Premier League, Carabao Cup, Champions League and FA Cup, Ngumoha looks set to be handed more opportunities to shine as the season unfolds.
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