Rio Ngumoha has opened up on what he was told by Arne Slot, his Liverpool team-mates and academy coaches before he scored the Reds' last-gasp winner against Newcastle on his debut
10:02, 26 Aug 2025
Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha speaking to club media
Rio Ngumoha opened up on his last-gasp winner against Newcastle
Liverpool's new sensation Rio Ngumoha revealed his team-mates had been urging him to showcase his talents before his stunning winner against Newcastle.
The 16-year-old etched his name into Anfield folklore as the Reds' youngest ever Premier League goalscorer - and the fourth-youngest across all clubs - when he secured victory at St James' Park deep into the 10th minute of added time.
Ngumoha looked back on the moment boss Arne Slot summoned him from the substitutes' bench, explaining: "It was crazy. He just looked at me, pointed at me, like 'just quickly get ready'. You just have to come on and make an impact and luckily thank god I did that, just a proud moment."
The teenager was introduced shortly after Will Osula had levelled for 10-man Newcastle, who had controlled the second period despite being a player down. Yet he maintained his composure at St James' Park to ghost in at the far post and beat Nick Pope.
"All of my team-mates, they're all encouraging me to - if it's on - to beat my man or take them on," Ngumoha continued. "But I've just got to mix it up sometimes because if there's two players there then there might be a pass, a one-two, and then get it back and find myself in a scoring area.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha scored Liverpool's winner at St James' Park(Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
"Normally, last season especially, academy coaches as well and even the first team coaches, they're always saying 'make the back post,' and the fact that I made the back post is just crazy."
Ngumoha's strike materialised after Mohamed Salah squared the ball and Dominik Szoboszlai cleverly created room with a dummy run. When quizzed about whether he'd called for Szoboszlai to leave the ball, the youngster revealed: "I think Dom just knew I was there.
"He said to me in the changing room 'I hoped you were there' and then luckily he just looked and then I was there. As the ball came I just thought I back myself to score and then... I don't even know, it's crazy.
"The fans, I heard them scream my name. That's a very sensational moment, I would say, but you can't just get carried away with all the noise. 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 me there, it's just crazy."
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The 16-year-old saved Liverpool's blushes(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk heaped praise on the Reds' match-winner whilst cautioning him to keep his feet on the ground. "It was a dream debut for him. I think that whole attack was quite good. It was a perfect attack," the Dutch centre-back told Sky Sports.
"We stayed calm towards the end as well, trying to find the right solution in order to score a goal. And we did it, so I'm very, very pleased for Rio.
"I've mentioned it before to him already, it's all a start now, he has to keep working hard and stay humble. He has to enjoy this, because these nights you can't take for granted, of course, if you're in his position. And I'm sure with the players that we have, he will be back in training and having a hard session tomorrow again."