Rio Ngumoha’s already sparkling young career trended further upwards as he wrote himself into Liverpool folklore.
Andoni Iraola’s side had found themselves 2-0 down to Villarreal in shock circumstances at Anfield, as Georges Mikautadze seized upon Virgil van Dijk’s error to open the scoring on four minutes, before left-back Sergi Cadrona stole through the middle of the home defence to double the advantage just shy of the half-hour.
Alexis Mac Allister nodded home Kostas Tsimikas’ corner to halve the deficit, before Ngumoha, handed a start in the absence of Victor Munoz, teed up Ronald Araujo, who rose highest at the far post to nod in the equaliser in first-half stoppage time and complete the comeback.
With his assist, the winger became the youngest ever Reds player to score or assist in the Champions League as he set up Araujo’s strike.
Young star: Rio Ngumoha
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At just 18 years old and 54 days, the academy graduate has quickly become the latest homegrown favourite with the Liverpool faithful, and the home support chanted his name as he starred on the right flank, looking to terrorise Cardona down the Villarreal left.
Ngumoha has already caught the eye on the senior international stage as well, having joined Thomas Tuchel’s England for their pre-World Cup camp ahead of last summer’s tournament, where the Three Lions finished third.
He won his first caps for his country back in June, making his debut against New Zealand where he wowed in a friendly.
He was named in Tuchel’s squad for the recent Nations League camp, and he featured against the Czech Republic twice.