Forward 73
Rio Ngumoha currently holds the record for the youngest player to score a senior goal for Liverpool in history after his stunner against Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Ngumoha was born on 29 August 2008 in Newham, East London, England; his parents were immigrants; his father was Nigerian, and his mother was of French Nationality. From a young age, he had a strong passion for football, which led him to join the Chelsea youth Academy at just 8 years old.
He had an impressive run at the Chelsea Academy, as he constantly impressed the coaches with his fearless attacking playing style. He scored a goal in the Premier League Cup final, helping the U17 side gain a 3:1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Ngumoha joined Liverpool in the summer of 2024 after seeing the club as the fastest way to gain access to playing with a senior team; this move strained the relationship between the two clubs, as Chelsea FC temporarily banned Liverpool Scouts from entering the Cobham training ground.
A Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) tribunal on 5 February 2026 ordered Liverpool to pay a minimum of £2.8 million to Chelsea for the training and development of Ngumoha for his time at the club.
His transition at Liverpool was swift, from featuring for the U18, U19, and U21 in the 2024/2025 season to being offered a senior team spot by Arne Slot in the 2025/2026 season.
He made his first professional debut for the club on 11 January 2025 in the FA Cup tournament against Accrington Stanley. This appearance made him the youngest Liverpool player to feature in an FA Cup match and also the youngest player to start a match for the club at just 16 years, 135 days.
Ngumoha had an amazing pre-season run ahead of the 2025/2026 season; in four (4) appearances, he had two (2) goals and two (2) assist contributions for the Reds. This performance drew attention to him, as the fans saw him as the perfect long-term player.
His debut appearance in the Premier League was against Newcastle United on 25th August, 2025, at St James’ Park. Ngumoha came in as a substitute in stoppage time of the game, replacing Cody Gakpo on the left wing. He scored the decisive goal of the game, helping Liverpool secure a 3:2 victory. This goal made him the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.
A month later, on 17th September, 2025, he made his UEFA Champions League debut against Atletico Madrid, making him the youngest Liverpool player to take part in the competition at just 17 years, 19 days, breaking the previous record held by Trey Nyoni.
Liverpool offered him his first professional contract on 25th September, 2025, a three-year deal that will run until 2028, which aligned with FIFA rules that players under 18 are limited to a maximum of a 3 year contract.
On 11th April, 2026, he became the youngest player to score at Anfield with his goal against Fulham, breaking the former record held by Raheem Sterling.
Rio Ngumoha made his senior debut for England in a 1:0 friendly victory against New Zealand; he came in as a substitute at the start of the second half and put in an outstanding performance, which won him the Man of the Match award.
PROFILE
Full Name: Rio Chima Ngumoha
Date of Birth: 29 August 2008
Nationality: English
Position: Left Wing, Attacking Midfielder
Preferred Foot: Right
Height: 5 ft 7 in (1. 70 m)
National Team: England National Football Team
Current Club: Liverpool FC
Currently, Rio Ngumoha has no trophies with Liverpool.
