Van Dijk Praises Ngumoha’s Dream Debut, Urges Humility After Liverpool’s Thrilling Win Over Newcastle

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has lauded young Rio Ngumoha after his sensational Premier League debut against Newcastle United, urging the 16-year-old to remain grounded despite his match-winning heroics. Ngumoha, who came off the bench late in the game, scored a dramatic 100th-minute goal to secure a 3-2 victory for the Reds at St. James' Park.

The game was a rollercoaster of emotions for Liverpool. They initially took a commanding 2-0 lead, with goals early in the match, and Newcastle were reduced to 10 men after Anthony Gordon's sending off in the first half. However, the Magpies fought back valiantly, leveling the score with goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula. Despite Liverpool's dominance in possession and early chances, Newcastle's resilience threatened to snatch a point.

Despite not registering a shot between the 46th minute and the dying moments of the game, Liverpool found a way to win. A well-placed cross from Mohamed Salah found Ngumoha, who calmly curled the ball into the net, sending the Liverpool fans into raptures. The goal marked an incredible moment for the young player, who is just four days shy of his 17th birthday.

Ngumoha's goal not only secured a vital three points for Liverpool but also etched his name into the club's history books. He became the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool's history and the fourth-youngest in Premier League history, joining an elite list that includes James Vaughan, James Milner, and Wayne Rooney.

Van Dijk, speaking to Sky Sports after the game, was full of praise for Ngumoha. "It’s a dream debut for him," he said. "We stayed calm towards the end, tried to find the right solution to score a goal. I’m very pleased for Rio. He has to work hard and stay humble, but he has to enjoy it – you can’t take these nights for granted."

16 – Rio Ngumoha is the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in a Premier League game, after Wayne Rooney in October 2002 for Everton vs Arsenal; he is one day older (16 years, 361 days) than Rooney was that day. Entrance. pic.twitter.com/m3rerDZHId

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 25, 2025

Ngumoha also joined Wayne Rooney in the record books as the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in a Premier League game. Rooney achieved the feat in October 2002 for Everton against Arsenal, with Ngumoha being just one day older than Rooney was on that day.

Despite the victory, Van Dijk acknowledged that Liverpool made things difficult for themselves, particularly with their defending. "We all know it’s a difficult place to come," he said. "There was a lot put on the fire this week, especially to get Newcastle fired up. It was expected. For us it was disappointing we conceded off two set-pieces. It shouldn’t happen, but overall a great three points, we move on."

Van Dijk also commented on the atmosphere at St. James' Park, saying, "I enjoy these atmospheres; I was looking forward to it, but we could have made it a little bit easier. We managed to get the three points, and we move on."

The game was not without controversy, as Newcastle's Anthony Gordon was shown a red card for a late challenge on Van Dijk. The Liverpool defender felt the decision was justified, stating, "I said to him [Gordon] if it’s not a sending off, then I don’t understand football. I felt it was strange the referee had to go to the monitor."

While Liverpool celebrated a hard-fought victory, the game highlighted some areas for improvement, particularly in defense. The Reds have now conceded two goals in both of their opening Premier League matches this season, despite winning both games. However, the emergence of young talent like Ngumoha provides a reason for optimism as Liverpool look to build on their promising start to the season.

Liverpool's ability to secure maximum points despite conceding two goals in each of their opening matches demonstrates their attacking prowess and resilience. However, manager Jurgen Klopp will be keen to address the defensive vulnerabilities to ensure his side can maintain their strong start to the campaign. The victory against Newcastle was a testament to Liverpool's fighting spirit and their ability to find a way to win even when not at their best.

Ngumoha's performance will undoubtedly give Klopp a selection headache in the coming weeks. The youngster's confidence and composure on the ball, combined with his clinical finishing, make him a valuable asset to the squad. It remains to be seen whether he will be given more opportunities to impress in the first team, but his debut goal has certainly made a statement. With a busy schedule ahead, Klopp may need to rely on his young players to step up and contribute, and Ngumoha has proven that he is ready to answer the call.