Rio Ngumoha has just achieved something that even Michael Owen wasn't able to do
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Liverpool have an exciting group of youngsters coming through but none more so than Rio Ngumoha.
The Reds battled hard against Newcastle to make it two wins from two in the Premier League, with their title defence off to the perfect start.
Although the performance was shaky yet again, mainly at the back, a last-minute winner from 16-year-old Ngumoha certainly made Liverpool supporters forget about that, for a little while at least.
He came off the bench to rescue Liverpool with a clinical finish in the dying minutes, with this game the definition of a smash and grab result.
Of course, the young Englishman has broken many records after netting the winner, but there is one thing that he has just achieved that even Michael Owen was not able to do despite his burst onto the scene.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
When Chelsea were left furious at Liverpool for signing Ngumoha, many had an inkling that he would eventually go on to be something special.
This only increased further after seeing him impress during pre-season, and now, he has well and truly announced himself on the biggest of stages.
His goal has also cemented him in Premier League history, with Ngumoha now the fourth youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history.
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At just 16 years, 361 days old, that means he has scored before some of the league’s best-ever players, with Ngumoha scoring before even Owen did.
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The Ballon d’Or winner scored his first when he was 17 years, 143 days old, showing how the new Liverpool star had plenty of time to find the back of the net.
The only three players ahead of him in the list are James Vaughan (16 years, 270 days), James Milner (16 years, 356 days) and Wayne Rooney (16 years, 360 days).
There is no denying the 16-year-old’s talent, but before the game, Arne Slot’s comments made it sound like he does not fully trust Ngumoha as an attacking option.
Now, however, after proving himself in pre-season, the winger has also shown that he is capable of doing it in the league too, laying down a real statement of intent.
Starting him might be a step too far, at least at this stage anyway, but bringing him off the bench can now be seriously considered every game after showing the composure he did against Newcastle despite the magnitude of the fixture.
People have to be very careful not to overhype a player of his age, but he is just that good that it is hard not to, and this season could just be his time to shine.