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Virgil Van Dijk wants Rio ngumoha to enjoy his dream Liverpool debut, but he urged the 16-year-old to “stay humble.”
Ngumoha scored a 100-minute winner on Monday after coming off the bench for his Premier League debut against Newcastle United.
Liverpool went 2-0 at St James Park. There, Anthony Gordon was sent off in the second half of the first half, but Newcastle returned Alexander Isaac, who hadn’t played for Liverpool, leveling the score through Brunogimalaes and William Osla.
However, as Hugo Ekitique had no shots between the 46 minutes they placed them in the two, Liverpool came up with the merchandise at the final knock.
Just four days short of his 17th birthday, Ngumoha became the club’s youngest goalscorer, but after James Vaughan (16, 270 days), James Milner (16, 356 days), and Wayne Rooney (16, 360 days), he became the fourth youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.
“It’s a dream debut for him,” Van Dik told Sky Sports when he asked about the influence of Nugumoha.
“We remained calm towards the end and tried to find the right solution to score the goal.
“I am very pleased with Rio, he has to work hard and be humbled, but he has to enjoy it.
16 – Rionugumoha is the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in a Premier League match after Everton vs Arsenal’s Wayne Rooney in October 2002. He was one day older than Rooney (16, 361 days). Entrance. pic.twitter.com/m3rerdzhid
-optajoe (@optajoe) August 25, 2025
Ngumoha is the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in a Premier League match, following Everton vs Arsenal’s Rooney in October 2002. He was a day younger (16, 361 days) Rooney was 23 years ago.
Newcastle would definitely find it difficult considering how to fight back 2-2, but Van Dik feels that Liverpool played in the hands of the magpies and played with a slightly sloppy defense.
He said: “We all know that it’s a difficult place to come. There were a lot of fires this week, especially to fire Newcastle. That was expected. For us, it was a shame to admit the two set pieces.
“It was under pressure. They had quality. If we saw the traditional top six here last year, there were only couples who managed to do something. I enjoy these vibes. I was looking forward to it, but it was a bit easier.
This was the first time Liverpool has shipped two goals, and Arsenal and opponents have dropped to 10 in the Premier League since December 2001, but the Reds have dumped a 2-0 lead in both opening top flight matches this season, but still have scored the largest points.
Newcastle was not helped by Gordon’s red card. After the referee consulted the pitchside monitor, the English attacker was fired by Simon Hooper.
Gordon charges late to Van Dik.
“I don’t understand football unless I’ve sent him (Gordon) out,” explained Van Dick. “I felt strange that the judge had to go to the monitor.”