Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool’s winger, made club history in the Champions League against Villarreal at the age of 18. Fresh from that, active negotiations are under way to tie him down to a new long-term contract.
Rio Ngumoha enjoyed a night to remember at Anfield. The young Liverpool winger provided two assists in the 4-3 Champions League win over Villarreal, becoming at 18 years and 52 days the youngest player in the Reds’ history to set up a goal in European competition, according to Liverpool FC and Opta. He thus erases the record held by Michael Owen, set in November 1998 against Valencia at the age of 18 years and 324 days.
The performance was praised by UEFA, who named him player of the match. But the prodigy’s news does not stop there: according to Fabrizio Romano, the transfer specialist journalist, Liverpool are holding active negotiations to sign him to a new long-term contract.
A record for precocity
Against the Yellow Submarine, Ngumoha played his part in the Reds’ stunning comeback win with his two assists. Liverpool won 4-3 at Anfield, and UEFA picked the young winger as player of the match.
At 18 years and 52 days, he writes his name into the club’s history. He displaces Michael Owen, who had held the record since 1998. A precocity that illustrates the potential of a player who came through Chelsea’s academy before joining Merseyside in 2024.
Liverpool want to secure their gem
According to Fabrizio Romano, conversations are active between the player and the club over a new long-term contract. “There are active conversations ongoing between Rio Ngumoha and Liverpool over a new long-term contract. For the club, they absolutely want to keep Rio,” the journalist told LiveScore. A determination to lock down the future of a player considered untransferable.
During the summer transfer window, Bayern Munich and Arsenal had shown strong interest in the winger, but Liverpool never put him up for sale. “During the summer, the player was never for sale. It was never possible to see Ngumoha leave Liverpool,” Romano added via Sports Mole. His current contract runs until 2028.
A future to be written
Of Nigerian descent, Ngumoha is presented by the English press as the long-term heir to Mohamed Salah on the wings. A comparison that remains speculative, but one that illustrates the expectations placed on him.
Born on 29 August 2008, he celebrated his 18th birthday at the end of August, which makes him eligible to sign a long-term professional deal. He is progressing under Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s head coach. The signing and official confirmation of this new contract are expected at Anfield.