Liverpool Football Club has a long and distinguished history of nurturing young talent and providing opportunities for teenagers to step into the first-team.
Across generations, the club has consistently blended academy development with senior experience, giving emerging players a chance to make their mark at the highest level.
Goals scored by teenagers are particularly significant, serving as early indicators of potential and offering a glimpse into the future of the squad.
These moments capture the excitement of youth breaking through, the trust placed in promising players and the enduring culture of Anfield that has seen countless young talents take their first steps into football history.
1. RIO NGUMOHA – 16 YEARS, 361 DAYS
Liverpool’s newest talent, Rio Ngumoha, came from the bench to score a crucial, late winner against Newcastle United on Monday night to become the club’s youngest ever goal scorer.
With the score level at 2-2, heading into the latter stages of added time, he remained level-headed to fire a curling effort into the far corner and complete a brilliant team move by the Reds.
Ngumoha’s goal ensured Liverpool maintained their one hundred percent start to the new Premier League campaign, following their 4-2 win over Bournemouth.
This goal certified Arne Slot’s reasoning for trusting the young winger around the first-team setup for the upcoming season.
Just four days shy of his seventeenth birthday, what a moment for the teenager.
2. BEN WOODBURN – 17 YEARS, 45 DAYS
Ben Woodburn was the previous holder of the record, casting back to November 29th2016, in an EFL Cup tie against Leeds United.
The Welshman slotted home a composed finish in front of the Kop, announcing himself on his senior debut to an expectant Anfield crowd.
Woodburn was tipped to become Liverpool’s next big prospect from the academy, immediately a potential gem but couldn’t continue the desired dream, departing in 2022 upon contract expiry.
Now featuring for Salford City in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football – ending a two-year spell at Preston North End of the Championship.
3. KAIDE GORDON – 17 YEARS, 96 DAYS
Kaide Gordon was rewarded with a first-team opportunity in an Emirates FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town, 9th January 2022.
A game in which he became Liverpool’s youngest goal scorer in the competition.
He demonstrated an instinctive understanding to weave through defenders, before slotting a composed strike into the corner.
Beyond the immediate impact, the goal set Liverpool on their way to a 4-1 comeback victory at Anfield.
Gordon continues to be on Liverpool’s books, having spent the last campaign loaned to Portsmouth and Norwich City, respectively.
4. MICHAEL OWEN – 17 YEARS, 143 DAYS
Michael Owen’s debut goal in a red shirt against Wimbledon in May 1997, instantly marked him as a talent destined for the highest level.
The strike announced his arrival on the Premier League stage and set the tone for a remarkable career.
Over 150 goals for Liverpool, a Ballon D’or title in 2001 and a key role played on the international stage for England.
By the time he departed Anfield for Real Madrid, Owen had won a treble and the European Footballer of the Year award – he then joined the club’s arch-rivals, Manchester United.
A move that added a controversial chapter to a storied career.
5. JORDAN ROSSITER – 17 YEARS, 183 DAYS
Jordan Rossiter first debuted for Liverpool during the 2014-15 campaign.
The midfielder’s opening goal arrived in a memorable League Cup tie against Middlesbrough.
A composed strike that set the Reds on their way to the next round, via a dramatic 14-13 penalty shootout victory that followed a 2-2 draw after one-hundred and twenty minutes.
At his age, Rossiter looked destined for a permanent role in the first team, but injuries and circumstances prevented him from consistently reaching the heights expected.
6. KI-JANA HOEVER – 17 YEARS, 250 DAYS
Ki-Jana Hoever marked his senior debut for the Reds with a decisive header in a League Cup tie away at MK Dons, in 2019.
During his time at Liverpool, he made sporadic first-team appearances, showing versatility and glimpses of composure that highlighted him out at youth level.
While he didn’t secure a permanent role, those early opportunities demonstrated potential and Hoever signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee worth £10million.
A deal that saw the late Diogo Jota move in the opposite direction in September of 2020.
Since then, the Dutchman has matured into a dependable asset, translating early promise into consistent Premier League performances.
7. RAHEEM STERLING – 17 YEARS, 317 DAYS
Raheem Sterling’s first goal for Liverpool immediately marked him as a special talent.
With the Reds playing hosting to Reading in October 2012, Sterling marked the occasion with what proved to be the match-winner at Anfield.
He quickly became a first-team regular before securing a big-money move to Manchester City in 2015 – one that didn’t arrive without controversy.
At City, Sterling developed into a serial winner with multiple Premier League titles and domestic trophies, while also becoming a key figure for England.
Now, the former Anfield teenager sees himself at Chelsea with both parties seeking a permanent move away, this campaign.
8. JAYDEN DANNS – 18 YEARS, 43 DAYS
Jayden Danns has quickly become one of the favourites around the Liverpool youth setup.
The forward marked his senior breakthrough in a 3-0 FA Cup victory over Southampton in 2024 – a special moment for the local lad.
More recently, successive injuries have limited his involvement in matches.
Including a back strain that prevented Danns from ever featuring for newly promoted side, Sunderland, throughout their EFL Championship campaign, last season.
But, returning into the Liverpool fold, he consistently features for the Under-21’s, seeking valuable minutes to regain fitness levels for the future.
Danns remains a promising player with huge potential to succeed at Anfield.
9. JIMMY MELIA – 18 YEARS, 46 DAYS
Jimmy Melia made his debut for the club during a Second Division clash with Nottingham Forest in December 1995, scoring after just six minutes in a 5-2 victory for Liverpool.
Melia would go onto flourish for the Reds and win the Second Division and First Division titles under the great Bill Shankly in 1961/62 and 1963/64.
10. STEFAN BAJCETIC – 18 YEARS, 65 DAYS
Stefan Bajčetic announced himself in Liverpool colours away to Aston Villa in the Premier League, 26th December 2022.
Securing a start in a fixture of that magnitude so early in his career underscored his readiness for senior football and the trust instilled in him by former manager, Jürgen Klopp.
The young Spaniard scored the third in a 3-1 win at Villa Park, immediately marking him as one of the most promising young stars to emerge in recent years.
Bajčetic remains tied to Liverpool, but a consistent spell of injuries has seen the young midfielder stall in his progress and spent the 2024/25 season out on loan in his native country for Las Palmas.
THE NEXT GENERATION
Anfield’s history is defined as much by its teenage trailblazers as by its established stars, proving that age is no barrier to impact at the highest level.
Some went onto global stardom, others forged quieter paths, yet all contributed to moments that Liverpool supporters will remember.
In celebrating these milestones, the club’s tradition of nurturing talent, resulting in opportunity continues to shine.
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