Rio Ngumoha savoured the “special feeling” of securing three points for Liverpool while making history in the process.
At just 16 years and 361 days old, Ngumoha became the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history, netting a dramatic winner in the 10th minute of stoppage time as the Reds edged a 3-2 victory over Newcastle United on Monday night.
His composed finish belied his inexperience at senior level, with Ngumoha crediting his positioning for the goal to the coaching guidance he has received.
The forward told Liverpoolfc.com post-match: “I’m buzzing! I’m so happy to score, especially the winner. A good moment, a special feeling, I’m definitely happy.
“You just have to come on and make an impact and thank God that I did that. It was just a proud moment.”
He added: “Normally, last season especially, the Academy coaches and even the first-team coaches are always saying, ‘Make the back post, make the back post.’
“The fact that I made the back post is just crazy… when I saw it with Mo [Salah] and then Dom [Szoboszlai] putting it through his legs, I was like one-v-one and I just smashed it.
“The fans, I heard them screaming my name and that’s a sensational moment I would say.
“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.”
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