 |
| APYonhap News |
|
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
 |
| EPAYonhap News |
|
'Remember this name. Rio Ngumoha.'
English Premier League (EPL) defending champion Liverpool earned three valuable points thanks to a 17-year-old supernova. In the second round of the EPL in the 2025-2026 season against Newcastle at St. James Park in Newcastle, England, on the 26th (Korea time), he won 3-2 thanks to Ngumoha's dramatic winning goal in the second half. Ngumoha, who debuted on the EPL stage with midfielder Curtis Jones as a substitute in the 6th minute of the second half, saved his first chance and the last chance of the game. Dominic Sobosler slipped a cross stabbed by Mohamed Salah from the right side of the opponent's penalty box, and Ngumoha, who was waiting on the other side, shook the net with a right-footed shot.
Ngumoha scored at the age of 16 years and 361 days, ranking fourth in the EPL's history after James Vaughan (16 years and 270 days), James Milner (16 years and 356 days), and Wayne Rooney (16 years and 360 days). It's only a day away from Rooney, the legend of Manchester United. In addition, he also took down Michael Owen (17 years and 143 days), who was the sixth overall and previous youngest Liverpool scorer, and made a page in Liverpool's history. The record was broken in 28 years after Owen set Liverpool's youngest record against Wimbledon in May 1997.
 |
| EPAYonhap News |
|
Liverpool Youth was a grown-up cotyledon. He has already made his professional debut through the FA Cup in the 2024-2025 season, and scored two goals during this pre-season to steal the heart of Liverpool coach Arne Slot. Although it was widely expected that the position would be narrowed after signing Florian Birz, the slot manager chose 'the youngest' Ngumoha as the last replacement card instead of 'Dutch national university' Cody Hakpo in need of an additional goal. Ngumoha said in a post-match interview, "I want to be evaluated as the best player in history, and I want to be a soccer legend. I'm sure I can win the Ballon d'Or one day," he said, expressing his bold ambition as a newcomer.
Liverpool led with Ryan Hravernberg's first goal in the 35th minute of the first half. In the extra time of the first half, Anthony Gordon's exit gave him a numerical advantage, and Ugo Ekitike scored an additional goal to lead the first half 2-0. However, in the 12th and 43rd minutes of the second half, he lost consecutive points to Bruno Guimarães and William Osula, putting him on the verge of winless. It is the first time in 24 years that Liverpool has donated two goals at a time when it has a numerical advantage against Arsenal in 2001. Newcastle's tenacity stood out. If it wasn't for Ngumoha's goal, he could have missed the win. Liverpool, which won the opening game 4-2 against Bournemouth, won its second consecutive league title.
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
"I think this is what makes the Premier League so special," the slot manager said"It wasn't the best game in terms of tactics and football, but all the fans in the world would have enjoyed it."
Meanwhile, Park Seung-soo, a 2007 Korean prospect who is one year older than Ngumoha as a member of Newcastle, was not listed on the entry. Park Seung-soo, who was included in the surprise replacement lineup in the league's opening game against Aston Villa on the 16th, has recently been active in the Newcastle U-21 team. As winger Gordon is scheduled to miss the game due to his suspension, it can be expected to return to the away game in Leeds on the 31st. Newcastle, which drew 0-0 with Villa, fell into a swamp of winless games (1 draw and 1 loss) for two consecutive games.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
