3 weeks ago
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'I can win the Ballon d'Or'
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Rio Nguomha enjoyed his breakthrough moment in his Liverpool career as the 16-year-old turned match-winner in the most dramatic fashion against Newcastle in a five-goal thriller. Liverpool were on the verge of throwing away a two-goal led against 10-men Newcastle after a remarkable encounter at an electric St James Park. Arne Slot introduced Nguomha six minutes into injury time and he won the Merseyside club all three points with a brilliant finish just four minutes later. The wonderkid became the fourth youngest goalscorer in Premier League history and only the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal after Wayne Rooney. This was the moment Ngoumha announced himself on the biggest stage but he's been viewed as a generational talent for years.
The English youth international became Liverpool’s youngest ever player to start a game when he debuted in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley in January. Liverpool’s acquisition of Ngumoha from Chelsea in September sparked fury at Stamford Bridge as the Merseyside outfit signed the Blues’ most highly-rated academy graduate for a nominal fee. Chelsea legend and former U18 coach John Terry lauded Ngumoha, insisting he was already a ‘top,top player’ and destined for greatness. Slot has a plethora of elite attacking players at his disposal but could Ngumoha now become a first-team regular at Liverpool?
Will Rio Ngumoha enjoy his breakthrough Liverpool season?
After moving to Anfield, Ngumoha quickly impressed Slot as he began training with the first-team regularly and he was named on the bench for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton in December. His debut arrived in the following month with Slot admitting that the talented winger is an incredible talent. “You can see why he’s a top talent, he’s just 16 years old.” Slot said. “Rio has been with us half a season, every time in training we see his qualities. He can dominate 1v1 situations and I am always happy if a player making his debut shows what we see at training.”
Ngumoha is a throwback to a traditional winger, who loves to attack and take-on defenders. The 16-year-old possesses devastatingly quick feet and close control, which allows him to outwit defenders before his electric pace ensures he races clear. Ngumoha is fearless and he’s clearly incredibly confident as evidenced by his ambitions for his future career. "I really believe I can win the Ballon d'Or one day,” Ngumoha said in an interview with Inside the Academy. "I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game." And the Liverpool starlet has made an immediate impression this season and he will remember his winning goal against Newcastle for the rest of his career.
