Rio Ngumoha rated his man-of-the-match performance in the 4-3 Champions League victory over Villarreal as one of the best of his relatively short Liverpool career.
Alexis Mac Allister may have scored twice but it was the 18-year-old winger who took the plaudits after providing both assists for the Argentina international while giving visiting left-back Sergi Cardona a torrid time.
“It’s up there with one of the best I’ve played, I think. I enjoyed myself out there. The team helped me as well a lot. I enjoyed today,” he told Prime.
After a match-changing substitute appearance at Brentford on Saturday the teenager is starting to become a pivotal figure in head coach Andoni Iraola’s game plan.
This was his best display for Liverpool as they recovered from 2-0 down after 29 minutes to hold a commanding lead with Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz, with his first since April, adding the other goals.
“I think he was coming from a very good game the other day, he had a good second half against Brentford,” said Iraola.
“He didn’t have an easy game also because they were demanding him defensively and their left-back was attacking a lot.
“There was a moment offensively where he was very difficult to stop. If we can put Rio in situations one v one, he makes plays, he produces things, today the (second) assist for Alexis is a lovely play.
“He could go down for a penalty but he decides to continue which is a great decision.
“I am very happy with his attitude because he tries to improve the things we think he needs to improve. He is eager to add more things to his game.
“That’s the good thing with Rio is he is still 18, he is not the full package, he can add things fortunately for us. Hopefully he can continue in the same way.”
Iraola also praised the contribution of Mac Allister, along with Ngumoha probably the only player who had a decent first half.
The World Cup winner’s two goals helped turn the game in their favour as they moved up to second in the table, behind Paris St Germain, with a third successive victory.
“He played like a higher position. He can arrive inside the box like a number eight and the first goal from a set-piece is a great goal as he is not the tallest,” said the Basque.
“Also the character, when you are 2-0 down, not playing well, he doesn’t panic, he has the experience has won a lot of things and it is lovely to have him.”
Villarreal manager Inigo Perez felt Araujo’s goal seconds before the interval proved crucial.
“The key moments were when they equalised to make it 2-2 just before half-time,” he said.
“We had a fantastic first half. I do believe we were able to remain in the game until the very end but if you score three goals, play very well in the game and you end up taking home a defeat where you have to analyse it is the errors we made.”
