Rio Ngumoha broke Ben Woodburn‘s record to become Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer in August, which the former Reds midfielder admits he “didn’t love” seeing.
Woodburn had held the record as Liverpool’s youngest scorer for almost nine years before Ngumoha’s dramatic winner at Newcastle two months ago.
Now 26 and playing for Salford City, the Wales international was considered one of the club’s most promising talents when he struck in a 2-0 win over Leeds in the League Cup in November 2016.
But he is now left to settle for second place behind a player he believes “could become one of the best wingers in the world.”
“I didn’t love it. But I was really happy for him,” Woodburn told the Manchester Evening News of watching Ngumoha break his record.
“For me, I kind of felt in the moment that [the record] didn’t really matter, I probably didn’t realise how big it was at the time, so I’d imagine he’s the same.”
While Woodburn struggled to make himself a first-team regular despite his explosive breakthrough, Ngumoha looks to be settling as a staple of Arne Slot‘s squad.
So far this season the 17-year-old – who signed a new long-term deal last month – has made five appearances including a start against Southampton in the Carabao Cup and has made the squad for 10 of Liverpool’s 11 games.
“He’s probably just loving playing his football, he’s played since and he’s been great every time he’s played for Liverpool, so I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Woodburn continued.
“Liverpool have just signed Isak and Ekitike for over £80 million each. It’s so difficult for a 17-year-old lad to play, but I was surprised how many games he’s played already.
“To me he looks like he could be one of the best wingers in the world at one point, so hopefully he can kick on and do that.”
There are many cautionary tales to have come before Ngumoha, not least Woodburn himself who is now a starter for Salford City in League Two after two difficult seasons with Preston.
But there is also an argument that the decision-makers at Liverpool, many of whom are still at the club, will have benefited from the mistakes made in Woodburn’s development.
“I went on a few loans where I didn’t play as many games as I needed to,” he explained.
“I stumbled in my career at that point. When you’re not playing and other kids are playing, they’e going to get better and better.
“I learnt a lot from going on those loans, but it probably wasn’t ideal that I wasn’t playing all the time at 17 and 18.”
As it stands there are no plans to send Ngumoha out on loan, with Liverpool making the decision to not actively replace Luis Diaz following his sale to Bayern Munich due to their faith in the No. 73.
Fan Comments