Liverpool’s teenage sense Rio Nugumoha revealed that his teammates have already urged him to showcase his talent before netting a dramatic winner with Newcastle.
The 16-year-old etched his name into Anfield folktales. The Reds’ youngest Premier League scorer ever – fourth-largest of all clubs, and he won at St. James Park in 10 minutes of suspension.
Looking back at the moment boss Arne Slot summoned him from the bench of the replacement, Nugumoha said, “It was crazy. He just looked at me and pointed me out like, “I’ll get ready right away.”
The teenager was featured shortly after Will Osla was leveled for 10 Newcastles.
However, he beat Nick Pope with his first effort on his right foot and then ghosts in the far post before maintaining his composure at St. James Park.
“All of my teammates, they all encourage me to beat and take my man on board,” Ngumoha added. “But if you have two players there, you have to mix it up from time to time because you could pass, one-on-two and get it back and be in scoring area.
“Usually, last season, especially coaches at the academy, and even the first team coaches, they always say, “make a back post.” And the fact that I made a back post is just crazy. ”
The Ngumoha strike arrived after Mohamed Salah rolled the ball and Dominik Szoboszlai created the space with a clever dummy.
When questioned whether he had called on Suzoboschlei to leave the ball, the young man said, “I think Dom knew I was there. He said in the changing room, “I wanted you to be there,” and he was lucky enough to be there.
“Fans, I heard them scream my name. It’s a very sensational moment. But you can’t get all the noise crazy because I probably finish 100 times on the training ground, so it’s the same as the fans, but obviously the fans who support me are just crazy.”
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dyke praised the Reds’ winner, encouraging him to level up.
“It was his dream debut. I think the whole offense was very good. It was a perfect offense,” the Dutch centre-back told Sky Sports.
“We were also calm towards the end and tried to find the right solution to score the goal, and we did it and I am very pleased with Rio.
“I’ve already mentioned it to him before, it’s all a start now, he has to keep working hard. He enjoys this. Of course, if you’re in his position, you take it for granted.
