Liverpool’s latest emerging star, Rio Ngumoha, made headlines on August 25, 2025, when he scored a dramatic 100th-minute winner on his Premier League debut, ensuring a thrilling 3-2 victory over Newcastle United.
Just four days shy of his 17th birthday, Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer (16 years, 361 days) and the fourth-youngest in Premier League history.
Here is everything you need to know about this new superstar, including his ties to the Super Eagles.
Rio Ngumoha's Liverpool debut
Ngumoha joined Liverpool’s youth ranks in the summer of 2024 after rising through Chelsea’s academy. He burst into the first-team scene in January 2025, becoming the youngest-ever FA Cup starter for Liverpool at 16 years and 135 days during their 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley. In the summer of 2025, he featured prominently in pre-season, scoring two goals and providing two assists across four friendlies.
On August 25, 2025, Ngumoha made his Premier League debut at Newcastle. With 10-man Newcastle pushing for a winner and Liverpool rocking, the teenager came off the bench and slotted home a precise, stoppage-time strike to secure a 3-2 win.
His goal not only sealed victory, it also put in the record books as the youngest Liverpool goalscorer ever in the Premier League. Afterward, captain Virgil van Dijk praised it as a “dream debut,” with a particular nod to Ngumoha’s composure.
16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool's newest hero! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qwmUpIBHrI
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 25, 2025
Rio Ngumoha's origins
- Name: Rio Chima Ngumoha
- Date of birth: August 29, 2008
- Place of birth: Newham, East London
- Parent nationality: Nigerian, French
Will Rio Ngumoha represent Nigeria?
Though Ngumoha has represented England at U-15, U-16, and U-17 levels, he remains eligible for Nigeria through his heritage, and even holds Guadeloupe/French nationality thanks to his parents' origins.
His youth caps include 4 appearances and 2 goals for England U-15, 9 caps and 2 goals for U-16, and ongoing action with England U-17, including participation in the 2025 UEFA U17 qualifiers and championship.
Despite this England allegiance at youth level, fans and media across Nigeria are already speculating if he might one day don the Super Eagles jersey. While that seems unlikely at this time given his talent level, the decision, if and when it arises, will be one to watch out for.
Ngumoha’s record-breaking moment
- Became Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 16 years, 361 days.
- Fourth-youngest scorer in PL history—and only the second 16-year-old after Wayne Rooney to score a winning goal.
- His goal came in the 10th minute of stoppage time, marking one of the latest winners in league history.
What's next for Rio Ngumoha?
With his explosive debut, the spotlight is now on whether Ngumoha will feature more regularly for Liverpool this season. With the Reds still targeting attacking reinforcements, competition could be fierce. Still, Slot’s trust in Ngumoha is already evident, and he could write more pages in history as the campaign progresses.
Internationally, a defining decision also lies ahead: whether to continue with England or make the switch to Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Will he join the ranks of those who have snubbed the three-time African champions down the years, like a Bukayo Saka, or will he toe the path of an Alex Iwobi, for instance. Only time will tell.
