Virgil van Dijk wants Rio Ngumoha to enjoy his dream Liverpool debut, but has urged the 16-year-old to remain “modest”.
Ngumoha scored a 100th minute winner shortly after he came from the bank for his Premier League debut against Newcastle United on Monday.
Liverpool had gone 2-0 in St. James' Park, where Anthony Gordon was sent late in the first half, but Newcastle games without Liverpool target White Alexander Isak fluid back to deliver the scores by Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula.
But after he hadn't had a shot between the 46th minute, when Hugo Ekitike gave them two to the good, Liverpool came up with the goods in the last beating when the center of Mohamed Salah found his way to Ngumoha, who curled brilliant at home.
Only four days shortly before his 17th birthday, Ngumoha became the youngest goal scorer of the club ever, while he is the fourth-year-old goal scorer in the history of the Premier League, after James Vaughan (16 years, 270 days), James Milner (16 years, 356 days) and Wayne Rooney (16 years, 360 days)
“It's a dream debut for him,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports when he was asked about the impact of Ngumoha.
“We remained calm towards the end, tried to find the right solution to score a goal.
“I am very happy for Rio. He has to work hard and stay humble, but he has to enjoy it – you can't consider these nights for granted.”
16-Rio Ngumoha is the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in a Premier League match, after Wayne Rooney in October 2002 for Everton vs Arsenal; He is a day older (16 years old, 361 days) than Rooney was that day. Entrance. pic.twitter.com/m3rerdzhid
– Optajoe (@Optajoe) 25 August 2025
Ngumoha is only the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in a Premier League match, after Rooney in October 2002 for Everton vs Arsenal; He was a day younger (16 years, 361 days) than Rooney who was 23 years ago.
Although Newcastle will undoubtedly have felt it has been difficult to give by giving how they are back to 2-2, Van Dijk Liverpool feels in the hands of the Magpies with a sloppy defense.
He said: “We all know that it is a difficult place to come. A lot was put on the fire this week, especially to have Newcastle fired. It was expected. It was disappointing that we admitted two set pieces. It should not happen, but in general we go a great three points.
“The pressure was exerted. They had the quality. If you look at the traditional top six here last year, there is only a few that succeeded in beating them. I enjoy this atmosphere; I looked forward to it, but we could have made it a little easier. We managed to get the three points and we will continue.”
This was the first time that Liverpool shipped two goals, while their opponents have been in the Premier League against Arsenal since December 2001 in the Premier League, while the Reds have now thrown away a 2-0 lead in both opening matches of the top of the top, albeit they have taken maximum maximum points.
Newcastle was not helped by the red card of Gordon, in which the attacker of England was rejected by Simon Hooper after the referee had consulted the pitchside monitor.
Gordon jumped out on Van Dijk, who was seen with scratches along the back of his calf.
I told him [Gordon] If it is not a broadcast, I don't understand football, “Van Dijk explained.” I thought it was strange that the referee had to go to the monitor. “