Sixteen-year-old Rio Ngumoha scored a dramatic 100th-minute winner as Liverpool beat Newcastle 3-2 on Monday night.
Ngumoha, who turns 17 on Friday, is now Liverpool’s youngest goalscorer and the fourth youngest in Premier League history. He is also only the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in the league, after Wayne Rooney’s strike for Everton against Arsenal in 2002.
Arne Slot brought on Ngumoha in stoppage time with the score level. Mohamed Salah sent a low cross into the box, Dominik Szoboszlai let the ball run, and the teenager finished calmly in front of the travelling supporters.
Teammates mobbed him after the goal. For Liverpool fans, the strike confirmed what pre-season had already shown, Ngumoha is ready to shine. He scored against Athletic Bilbao, Yokohama F. Marinos and assisted against AC Milan in the summer.
Thierry Henry praised the youngster’s composure. “He announced himself,” Henry told Sky Sports. “He finished like someone who has been playing for a long time.”
Captain Virgil van Dijk also congratulated Ngumoha but urged him to stay focused. “It’s a dream debut,” Van Dijk said. “But it all starts now. He has to keep working hard and stay humble. Nights like this don’t come often.”
Slot echoed that view. “It was a great goal for a 16-year-old,” the Liverpool boss said. “Rio can finish so well for his age. He is very confident.”
Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea’s academy last summer. Former Chelsea captain John Terry once described him as “a top player,” and his development suggests he could become a regular feature at Anfield.
He made his first-team debut in January, starting against Accrington in the FA Cup at just 16 years and 135 days old. Monday’s goal, however, marked his true arrival.
With Diogo Jota’s tragic death and the departures of Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz, Liverpool are reshaping their forward line. Ngumoha now has a chance to grow alongside Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo.
For Liverpool, his late winner at St James’ Park may prove the beginning of another Anfield story.
