12 January 2025 , 17:47
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Rio Ngumoha made Liverpool history on Saturday when he started their FA Cup third round clash against Accrington Stanley.
Aged just 16 years and 135 days, he is the youngest ever player to start a game for the Reds.
Liverpool fans have been quick to praise the teenager, labelling him a ‘quality baller’, ‘the best player on the pitch’ and a star with ‘crazy potential’.
But it could have been a very different story for the wonderkid who already has ambitions of lifting the Ballon d’Or.
What position does Rio Ngumoha play?
Ngumoha, who wears the No.73 shirt, is a forward who plays primarily as a left-winger.
Despite only turning 16 last August, the teenager has already been training with the senior Liverpool side and playing for their U18s.
So far this season he’s made 13 appearances for the youth side, providing four assists, and he was even named on the bench for the first-team’s Carabao Cup win at Southampton in December.
He also has three caps for the England U17s.
Ngumoha made his debut against Accrington Stanley (Photo: Getty)
Rio Ngumoha’s controversial transfer from Chelsea to Liverpool
Ngumoha was a highly-rated member of Chelsea’s academy and last April he scored in the U17 Premier League Cup final victory over Wolves.
They were hopeful that the forward could be a great player for the west London club in the future, but instead he moved to Liverpool last summer after failing to agree new terms with the Blues.
While a free transfer, Chelsea are entitled to a compensation fee from their Premier League rivals, but nevertheless the Blues were reportedly furious over Ngumoha’s exit.
It is said that as a consequence, Chelsea have now banned scouts from Liverpool, as well as Manchester United, from attending their academy matches.
Arne Slot has praised Ngumoha’s ‘fearlessness’ (Photo: Getty)
What has Arne Slot said about Rio Ngumoha?
Upon handing Ngumoha his debut against Accrington Stanley, Liverpool manager Arne Slot told ITV: ‘It’s always special if a young player makes his debut. There’s a smile on my face!
‘He’s a young kid still. He’s trained mostly with the U21s, sometimes with us and every time he’s with us he’s not afraid to do what he’s good at which is taking on one-v-ones and I hope he will get the chance to show his qualities today.’
Ngumoha has boldly stated his ambitions to become one of the world’s best players, saying previously: ‘I truly believe I can win the Ballon d’Or one day.
‘I want to be regarded as one of the best players to ever play football and be a legend of the game. I have learned you have to be resilient and believe in yourself.
‘You can have a few bad games but you have to have that belief that you are the best. For me, if I am in bad form I just put it behind me and work hard.’
‘He’s at a club where players can win the Ballon d’Or,’ Slot added.
‘Let’s wait but that’s far, far, far too early to talk about. He has to play a good game today!’