- Teenager impressed during pre-season
- Earned Premier League opportunity
- Made Reds history with goal on Tyneside
The reigning Premier League champions appeared to have let two points slip against 10-man opponents at St James’ Park, with the hosts battling bravely to level an eventful contest in the 88th minute.
There was, however, still time for 16-year-old Ngumoha to make history as he became Liverpool‘s youngest goalscorer. His composed finish in the 10th minute of stoppage-time sparked wild celebrations and wrapped up a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Anfield academy graduate Ngumoha told Liverpool’s official website of his stunning impact off the bench: “I’m buzzing! I’m so happy to score, especially the winner. A good moment, a special feeling, I’m definitely happy. You just have to come on and make an impact and thank God that I did that. It was just a proud moment.”
Ngumoha added on his well-taken finish, which saw the ball fizzed into the back of the net from 12 yards out: “Normally, last season especially, the academy coaches and even the first-team coaches are always saying, ‘Make the back post, make the back post.’
“The fact that I made the back post is just crazy… when I saw it with Mo [Salah] and then Dom [Szoboszlai] putting it through his legs, I was like one-v-one and I just smashed it. The fans, I heard them screaming my name and that’s a sensational moment I would say.
“But you can’t get too carried away with all the noise, like I said, 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 [here]. But obviously the fans backing you there, it’s just crazy.
“I’m 16 but I don’t want my age to show that I can’t play with the older players. I want to prove a point that I can play with not just people my age but many ages above. But like I said, there are people at the club who are always helping me and I’m always learning and improving, so I can’t complain.”
Ngumoha earned his Premier League chance after impressing during pre-season, with the youngster considered to be another home-grown hot prospect that can have a bright future on Merseyside.
