Rio Ngumoha became the youngest player ever to start a competitive match for Liverpool.
The forward, who is 16 years and 135 days old, was a surprise inclusion in Arne Slot’s starting XI for their 4-0 win over FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley.
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Big things are expected of NgumohaCredit: Getty
Playing behind striker Darwin Nunez, Ngumoha lined up alongside Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott in a 4-2-3-1 and showed some moments of promise.
Darting in off the left wing, he gave Accrington’s defenders a tough time before dropping off in the second half and being substituted for Jayden Danns in the 72nd minute, with his replacement scoring four minutes later.
Discussing the debutant post-match, Slot said: “I think he did well, there were a few moments where the fans could see why we think he’s a talent.
“He’s really good in one-v-one situations, he’s fast and can change direction fast which he showed a bit more in the first half than the second half.
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“I think it’s nice to make your debut and to win and he had a few very good actions where the fans reacted as well so it was a nice and special day for him.”
The English prospect joined Liverpool from Chelsea on his 16th birthday in a pre-agreed deal which left the Blues furious.
It is understood they subsequently banned Liverpool and Manchester United scouts from attending academy fixtures in the fallout of Ngumoha’s exit.
Since arriving at Liverpool, the highly-rated Englishman had only competed at Under-18 and Under-19 level so far.
Ngumoha was an unused substitute for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton and regularly trains with the first-team.
His inclusion in the starting XI against League Two side Accrington Stanley not only made him the youngest player ever to feature in an FA Cup match for Liverpool, but also the youngest player ever to start a competitive fixture.
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Ngumoha showed glimpses of his star qualityCredit: Getty
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He made Liverpool history at Anfield
Ngumoha overtook teammate Elliott, who was 16 years and 174 days old on his Liverpool debut against MK Dons in the EFL Cup in 2019.
Jerome Sinclair remains the youngest player in the Reds’ competitive history, having featured at the age of 16 years and six days in 2012 – but he did not start the match.
Explaining the decision to pick Ngumoha, Slot said before the game: “It is always special when a young player makes his debut, no matter which country you are in. You know what it means to the player.
“He is a young kid that has been with us for half a season. He has trained mostly with the Under-21s but sometimes with us.
“But when he has been with us, he isn’t afraid to do what he is good at – taking players on. I hope he gets the chance to show his quality.”
It was also a debut for Slot – who was managing in the FA Cup for the first time ever.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s screamer was the highlight of the match, as Diogo Jota, Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa also got on the scoresheet.
The Dutch manager added: “I could talk for hours about that (Alexander-Arnold goal), unbelievable.
“The biggest compliment Trent could get was the reaction of everyone after the Manchester United game.
“Every player around the world, maybe except for a few, has a bad game and that is completely normal, but the moment Trent has one, everyone has an opinion about it.
“Maybe that is because of the contract situation. I don’t know if that wasn’t there if people would have reacted in the same way.
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“You have such a great first half of the season and you don’t play a good game against United – and that was clear for me, for you, the fans and the analysts who saw the game – but many of them were quite hard on him.
“I think it was good for him to play in our own stadium and feel the reception of the fans again, it was also special again today and that can only help him and us.”
