'Keep Working Hard &...': Virgil Van Dijk Tells Liverpool's Teenage Hero Rio Ngumoha

Last Updated:August 26, 2025, 06:31 IST

Ngumoha became the club's youngest ever goalscorer on his debut after coming off the bench to net in the 100th minute at a frenzied St. James' Park on Monday.

Virgil Van Dijk shares valuable advice for Rio Ngumoha. (Picture Credit: X/@LFC)

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk stated that the hard work has only just begun for 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha after his dramatic winning goal secured a 3-2 victory for the Premier League champions at Newcastle.

Ngumoha became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer on his debut, coming off the bench to net in the 100th minute at a frenzied St. James’ Park on Monday.

Liverpool led 2-0 against 10 men, with goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, on either side of Anthony Gordon’s red card.

Newcastle were driven by anger over Liverpool’s pursuit of their star striker Alexander Isak, who was absent due to his desire to leave the club.

The Magpies fought back despite their numerical disadvantage, with goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula.

However, Ngumoha, who impressed in pre-season for the Reds, finished off a fine Liverpool move deep into stoppage time to secure two wins from two games in their title defence.

“It’s a dream debut for him," said Van Dijk. “I’m very pleased for Rio. I’ve already told him it all starts now; he has to keep working hard and stay humble, but he should definitely enjoy this because these nights are precious in his position. I’m sure with the players we have, he will be back in training and having a hard session tomorrow."

Van Dijk noted that the stand-off between the clubs over Isak’s future had added “oil on the fire" of an already typically ferocious atmosphere at St. James’ Park.

“We all know it’s a difficult place to come. There was a lot of fuel added this week to get Newcastle fired up," added the Dutch defender. “What happened tonight was expected, and for us, the disappointing part was that we conceded two set pieces. That shouldn’t happen, but overall, it was a great three points."

The defeat leaves Newcastle with just one point from their opening two games and with a striker issue to resolve before the window closes in a week’s time, unless Isak can be convinced to return to Eddie Howe’s squad.

“I think it was a great performance from the players, both in the first and second half in very different ways," said Howe. “In the first half, we thought we dominated the game. We were in a great place with just the goal missing. In the second half, we had a mountain to climb at 2-0 down with 10 men, but I thought we controlled the game. We fought back unbelievably well but couldn’t get over the line to get a point."

(With inputs from AFP)

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First Published:

August 26, 2025, 06:31 IST

News sports 'Keep Working Hard &...': Virgil Van Dijk Tells Liverpool's Teenage Hero Rio Ngumoha

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