Liverpool's 16-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha on dramatic last-minute Newcastle winner - 'I want to prove a point'
Published 26/08/2025 at 13:02 GMT+1
Rio Ngumoha, 16, sealed the most dramatic of victories for Liverpool when he netted in the 10th minute of stoppage time to earn his side a 3-2 win against Newcastle at St James' Park. In doing so, he became the youngest goalscorer in the club's history, and he said he does not want his age to prevent him playing among the world-class talent in Arne Slot's squad.
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Liverpool's 16-year-old hero Rio Ngumoha wants to "prove a point" that he can play among senior players after netting the winner in his side's 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Monday.
Ngumoha became the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool's history as he netted in the 10th minute of stoppage time to secure all three points for Arne Slot's side at St James' Park - just four days before his 17th birthday.
The former Chelsea academy player thundered the ball into the net after Dominik Szoboszlai neatly let Mohamed Salah's ball pass through his legs towards the teenager, who was lingering at the back post but still had a lot to do with the finish.
"I’m so happy to score, especially the winner," Ngumoha told Liverpool's in-house media. "A good moment, a special feeling, I’m definitely happy.
"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 and then Dom 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. 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.
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"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."
It was a sensational finish to an equally enthralling Premier League clash. Liverpool were in a hugely advantageous position after Hugo Ekitike put them 2-0 ahead on 46 minutes, with Newcastle down to 10 players after Anthony Gordon's sending off in the first half.
But, as they did against Bournemouth on the opening day, Liverpool let slip the two-goal advantage with Bruno Guimaraes and Will Osula on target for the hosts.
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After dealing with the Newcastle pressure, it was Ngumoha who decided it on his Premier League debut - just four minutes after his introduction from the bench.
Liverpool next face Arsenal in the Premier League on August 31, after finding out their fate in this season's UEFA Champions League draw - taking place on Thursday.
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
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