Liverpool’s youngest ever European debutants as Rio Ngumoha makes history
Rio Ngumoha made history for Liverpool on Wednesday as the Reds kicked off their Champions League campaign in style.
Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 at Anfield, winning in the last minute after the visitors came back from an early 2-0 deficit.
Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah had looked to have put Arne Slot’s side in cruise control, but Marcos Llorente found the net twice to get the Spanish side back on terms.
Alexander Isak made his Liverpool debut, and the Swede looked to be closer to full fitness than previously expected.
Rafa Benitez revealed that Newcastle United are missing Isak, who is expected to make his Premier League debut for the Reds against Everton on Saturday.
Rio Ngumoha makes European history at Anfield
Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest-ever scorer across any competition when he found the net against Newcastle.
It has been a season of breaking records so far for the teenager, who can still become the youngest-ever Champions League scorer if he finds the net against Galatasaray at the end of September.
And with his appearance off the bench against Atletico Madrid, Ngumoha became the youngest Liverpool player to ever appear in European competition.
Fellow youngster Trey Nyoni, who is expecting to make another appearance in the Champions League this season, set the record in January. His teammate has smashed it by almost 200 days.
Phil Charnock, who now serves as the academy’s Under-12 coach, had set the record in 1992 before Nyoni’s introduction this year.
Big-name forwards Raheem Sterling and Michael Owen complete the top five, with both players making their breakthroughs at Liverpool before moving on.
Rio Ngumoha can emulate Raheem Sterling
Despite Sterling’s career taking a sharp downturn in recent years, the forward is undoubtedly among the best Premier League wingers ever.
| Liverpool’s youngest-ever in Europe | Age |
| Rio Ngumoha | 17 years and 19 days |
| Trey Nyoni | 17 years and 213 days |
| Phil Charnock | 17 years and 215 days |
| Raheem Sterling | 17 years and 238 days |
| Michael Owen | 17 years and 276 days |
On average across almost 400 appearances in the top flight, the 30-year-old has provided either a goal or an assist every other game.
And on the achievements front, Sterling has won the Premier League four times, as well as the FA Cup once, and the League Cup five times.
Liverpool will hope Ngumoha does not ultimately seek a move in the same way Sterling did, but the former England international’s career is one to be admired by the youngster.
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