Liverpool’s youngest goalscorer, 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha, says he is learning to play without fear after making 44 senior appearances since joining the club in September 2024.
Ngumoha scored the winning goal against Newcastle United in August 2025, a moment he says remains particularly special.
“My mum still watches that goal repeatedly to this day,” he said. “I know that memory will stay with me forever.”
Describing his approach, Ngumoha said: “I’m a relatively free player. I play as freely as possible within the team’s tactical system, without fear and without overthinking. If I see an opportunity to take on a player, I’ll try to do it. If not, I’ll use my team-mates. In one word, it’s fearless.”
Learning on both wings
Naturally a left winger, Ngumoha has spent more time on the right this season and admitted the adjustment was difficult at first.
“The manager, the coaching staff and my team-mates have helped me a lot,” he said. “Playing for England also helped, and I learned from all the wingers there.”
He now sees the change as an advantage, saying the ability to operate on either flank gives him “an extra skill set”. Ngumoha added that versatility and unpredictability are increasingly important in modern football.
Andoni Iraola has stressed the value of wingers being able to play in different positions, and Ngumoha believes that flexibility can help him earn more opportunities.
“I haven’t mastered anything yet and I’m still learning,” he said. “But it’s important for the manager to know he can play Rio on the left or the right. Even if I’m on the bench, he can bring me on in either position.”
Ngumoha said his relationship with Iraola and the coaching staff has developed as he has become more comfortable communicating with them. He also praised Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper and Pablo de la Torre for the support they provide every day.
Improving without the ball
Ngumoha said the coaches have worked with him on positioning and tracking back, including through small meetings in which they explain tactical details.
His aim is to convince the staff that he can contribute in both penalty areas, whether the team are losing or protecting a narrow lead.
“I want them to know: ‘Rio can not only help us score goals, but also help us stop the opponent from scoring,’” he said.
The winger identified his work without the ball as the main area he wants to improve, particularly responding when an opposing full-back overlaps. He believes defensive discipline will increase the trust of both the coaches and his team-mates.
Ngumoha also spoke highly of senior players. He said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had supported him, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas and the other young players, treating them as full members of the squad.
“To get his respect, especially from what I consider to be the best centre-back in Premier League history, is incredible,” he said.
Salah’s late-game lesson
Ngumoha said Mohamed Salah had taught him through both observation and training, as well as in conversations away from the pitch.
Salah’s most valuable advice was to remain alert during the final 20 minutes, when tired defenders create opportunities.
“He told me that if I wanted to reach the highest level, I had to stay alert, be ahead of everyone else and move faster than everyone else,” Ngumoha said. “You look at how many goals he has scored, especially late in games. It’s something very important he taught me.”
