Rio Ngumoha announced himself to the Premier League when he scored the winner for Liverpool against Newcastle United.
The Reds left it late to snatch the three points at St James’ Park after Arne Slot’s men surrendered a two-goal lead in consecutive matches.
Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range strike opened the scoring in the 35th minute before former Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead only seconds after the half-time interval.
Bruno Guimaraes halved the deficit, and William Osula equalised in the 88th minute before another Slot substitution masterclass changed the game.
Arne Slot looks on during Newcastle United v Liverpool
Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Ngumoha emerged from the bench on his Premier League debut to score the match-winner in the final stages of the game, and now Chelsea are demanding compensation be awarded for losing their former academy star.
Ngumoha’s compensation fee will not matter for Liverpool
When speaking live on talkSPORT, Danny Murphy addressed the news that Chelsea are demanding Premier League intervention to award compensation over a year after Ngumoha left Cobham for Merseyside.
“I think I’m right, Jim, and Simon might know more, but I think there’s a formula anyway for it in terms of years served at someone else’s academy and stuff. I don’t think much of it’s based on what somebody thinks, potentially it might be later, and how good somebody might be. There is a formula in place.
“So even if Liverpool end up paying a few million for this kid or whatever the formula works out the amount, they could sell him tomorrow for 30 (million). So it won’t matter, it’ll be minimal.”
Chelsea fans are furious after Ngumoha’s goal that the club allowed such a talented prospect to leave the academy and join a direct Premier League rival.
He chose to leave the Blues as he saw a clearer path of development to the first team than he did in West London and his decision has been rewarded as Ngumoha became the fourth youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.
Ngumoha has attracted a lot of media attention for someone of his age and the 16-year-old has been dubbed “a diamond” despite only being promoted to the senior squad this summer.
However, those sentiments are echoed by those within the club, Liverpool believe they have a “generational” talent in the young forward; and after the departure of Luis Diaz, want to prioritise Ngumoha’s development.
Ngumoha can enjoy a breakout campaign at Liverpool
Rumours of the Reds pursuing deals for Bradley Barcola and Rodrygo have since gone quiet, and it appears now another left-sided attacker is no longer on the agenda at Anfield.
Slot has proven this summer that he is willing to put his faith in the academy as he promoted Trey Nyoni alongside Ngumoha into the senior squad.
And with Cody Gakpo starting the new season in incredible form, it makes no sense for Liverpool to spend big money on a left winger who would steal minutes from Ngumoha.
To emerge off the bench, in a hostile St James’ Park atmosphere and deliver a match-winner at 16 truly is a fairy tale story for the Reds. And now it is time to let Ngumoha enjoy the moment, and hopefully, he can make great strides this season.