Virgil van Dijk applauded young Liverpool prospect Rio Ngumoha after the youngster netted a brilliant solo goal during the pre-season victory over Yokohama F.

Marinos.

Ngumoha was brought on during the second half of the friendly in China, and his late goal ensured the Reds signed off from their pre-season tour with a win.

Liverpool was already leading 2-1 at the time, after Florian Wirtz and Trey Nyoni had scored in the second half, and Ngumoha's goal secured a 3-1 victory.

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The teenager picked up the ball just inside the Marinos half, before driving straight at the opposition defense, jinking inside onto his right foot, and slotting a neat finish into the corner of the goal from the edge of the area.

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TV footage showed Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah sporting beaming smiles as Ngumoha celebrated his goal, with the Liverpool captain applauding Ngumoha, who is 18 years his junior.

Ngumoha's performance prompted plenty of praise on social media, from Liverpool-covering journalists as well as supporters

David Lynch wrote: "You really try to careful about overhyping a 16-year-old and putting too much pressure on their shoulders, but what are you supposed to do when talking about Rio Ngumoha

This kid is absolutely remarkable."

A Liverpool fan account, meanwhile, wrote: "There is a genuine question to be had regarding Rio Ngumoha starting over Cody Gakpo