Rio Ngumoha is Arsenal and Chelsea's one that got away as Liverpool promise comes true
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Rio Ngumoha at Arsenal's Hale End Academy with Santi Cazorla and Thierry Henry in May 2015Rio Ngumoha has been on an incredible journey before his “crazy, sensational” moment of glory.
The Liverpool teenager, who turns 17 on Friday, scored the dramatic 100th minute winner at Newcastle to mark himself down as football’s latest wonderkid.
Ngumoha said that his teammates have been telling him to go for goal - and he took them at their word.
He said: “All of my team-mates, they're all encouraging me to - if it's on - to beat my man or take them on.
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.
"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.
READ MORE:Rio Ngumoha: Liverpool wonderkid profiled as 16-year-old becomes instant Reds heroREAD MORE:Arne Slot's five-word message to Rio Ngumoha caught on camera after Liverpool heroics
“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.”
Ngumoha was born in Newham, grew up in East Ham and his older brother - a huge influence on his career - encouraged him to play football.
Rio Ngumoha sparked wild scenes with his late winner(Image: Getty Images)
He started aged just four, went to West Ham and then on to Arsenal until he was nine which is when the kids are still free to sign for whoever they want.
Arsenal wanted to keep him - and even introduced him to club legends like Thierry Henry and Santi Cazorla at the club’s Hale End youth production line.
Chelsea pinched him for their highly-regarded academy and he would travel across from East London to their training ground at Cobham, Surrey.
Liverpool won Ngumoha's signature by promising him a clearer path to the first-team(Image: Getty Images)
It was obvious he was a big prospect, spent eight years there with ex-Chelsea captain John Terry singling him out as being destined for the very top.
But Liverpool were able to sign him a year ago as they set out a clear plan of progression into the first team - and it is already paying off.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Article continues below
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn more
£43
£35
Sky
Get the deal here
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.