Aged 18 years and 52 days, he is now the youngest Liverpool player to have either scored or assisted in the Champions League.
Rio Ngumoha, 18, made two assists as Liverpool came from two goals down to beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield on Tuesday night in the Champions League. Liverpool were woeful for much of the first half. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk's poor header let Georges Mikautadze score in the fourth minute, and Sergi Cardona made it 2-0 in the 29th.
The fightback began with Alexis Mac Allister, who headed in a Kostas Tsimikas corner in the 36th minute. Ronald Araujo levelled in first-half stoppage time, heading in a cross from Ngumoha at the far post after Cardona let the ball bounce behind him.
The second half was a different game. Mac Allister scored again in the 65th minute, after Ngumoha ran down the right and pulled the ball back for him. Florian Wirtz, on as a substitute, made it 4-2 in the 68th minute with a low left-footed finish. Tani Oluwaseyi scored in the 87th minute, which made for a nervy finish. Villarreal coach Iñigo Pérez conceded: "We weren't able to handle the emotion tonight."
With his opening assist, Ngumoha displaced Michael Owen as the youngest Liverpool player to score or assist in the Champions League. He was 18 years and 52 days old, beating Owen's mark of 18 years and 324 days.
He had 12 touches in the opposition box and completed seven of eight dribbles. Speaking to Amazon Prime, Ngumoha said: "It's up there with one of the best I've played. I enjoyed myself out there." Former Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge, also on Amazon Prime, said: "On the ball, this kid has so much quality," adding that it was stuff you cannot teach.
Ngumoha was replaced by Bradley Barcola in the 74th minute, to chants of his name. At full time, Rio by Duran Duran was played over the tannoy.
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola heaped praise on teenager Rio Ngumoha after his dazzling display. "Rio didn't have it easy tonight," he said. He singled out one moment: "There was a moment offensively where he was very difficult to stop."
Iraola was measured about what comes next for the teenager:
"There will be ups and downs in the process, but I'm happy because attitude-wise I think he's in a great place."
Ngumoha grew up playing down the left, and he struggled for minutes there this season with Cody Gakpo and Barcola often on that flank. Iraola wants his wingers to play on both sides, and the 18-year-old has improved on the right. He spoke about that on Saturday, after Liverpool beat Brentford. He also made his England debut earlier this season.
Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes playing on the right can help the club even if Ngumoha scores fewer goals. He said: "Maybe he'll score less goals but I think he can make a difference."
Ngumoha is on the deal he signed in September 2025, weeks after his 17th birthday, which runs until 2028. Talks over a new contract are continuing, with his agent handling them, and the expectation is for more lucrative terms now that he is 18.
Liverpool play Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. Ngumoha has not started a Premier League game since the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on the opening weekend.
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