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Liverpool forward Rio Ngumoha is pushing to feature more often after another lively display in the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. The 17-year-old arrived from the bench on 23 February 2026 and played a key role in the build-up to Alexis Mac Allister’s dramatic 97th-minute winner at the City Ground.
Ngumoha replaced Mohamed Salah in the 77th minute and immediately attacked Nottingham Forest’s right side. The winger beat Neco Williams before delivering a cross for Hugo Ekitike, whose header was saved. Ola Aina’s attempted clearance then struck Mac Allister’s elbow and went in, but that effort was disallowed for handball.
Despite limited time on the pitch, Ngumoha finished with a team-high three successful dribbles, level with Ekitike. The substitute again showed direct running and confidence in tight spaces, qualities that have become a feature of recent cameos, even though opportunities in the Premier League have remained restricted this season.
Reflecting on the Nottingham Forest game, Ngumoha explained the mindset behind these energetic appearances. “Yeah, I know I need to at least do something to try to impact the game, whether that’s on the ball or off the ball,” Ngumoha said of his display against Forest. “That can be putting in a tackle, pressing to win the ball back, putting balls in the box, having shots on target or just beating my man. I just think every single time I’m called on for the team, I want to show everyone what I can do really.”
Across the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, Ngumoha has played only 89 minutes. In all competitions, the attacker has made 15 appearances, but just three have been starts. The pattern under Arne Slot has largely been late substitute roles, where Ngumoha is asked to change the tempo from wide positions.
Ngumoha believes performances like the one at the City Ground justify more chances in Liverpool’s starting XI. That view comes while two senior forwards, Salah and Cody Gakpo, search for their best form. Salah has gone nine league matches without scoring, and Gakpo has yet to repeat last season’s return of 18 goals in all competitions.
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Rio Ngumoha Liverpool records and Premier League breakthrough
The teenager’s standout moment so far this season arrived against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in September. Ngumoha scored in Liverpool’s 3-2 Premier League victory, netting his first senior goal. That strike remains Ngumoha’s only top-flight goal of the 2025-26 campaign to date.
That finish in Newcastle carried historic significance for Liverpool and the Premier League. At 16 years and 361 days old, Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest ever Premier League scorer. Across the competition’s history, only James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney have scored at a younger age than the Liverpool forward.
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Rio Ngumoha goals across Liverpool competitions
There was almost another first-team goal for Ngumoha during Liverpool’s FA Cup run. In the fifth-round win over Brighton, the winger curled a shot into the net, only for the effort to be controversially ruled offside. The following day, Ngumoha responded by scoring a long-range goal for Liverpool’s Under-21 side.
Ngumoha has spoken openly about the importance of regular football, whether with the senior squad or academy teams. “I feel like if you are not playing as much, then you can stagnate, so I want to gain more minutes,” Ngumoha added. “Whether that is Under-18s or 21s, I am still so young, so I am available to play, so any games I can play, I will.”
Across league and cup competitions, plus youth fixtures, Ngumoha is trying to balance development with the demands at a leading Premier League club. The Forest cameo, the Newcastle goal and the Brighton disallowed strike together show a player eager for responsibility. Those moments support Ngumoha’s argument that increased minutes could further accelerate progress at Liverpool.
Story first published: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 21:47 [IST]
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