Rio Ngumoha takes latest step in Liverpool thriller as 17-year-old striker scores twice
Rio Ngumoha made his starting debut for Liverpool's U18s this weekend but he couldn't stop the young Reds from falling to a home defeat in a thriller against Newcastle United. Kareem Ahmed netted twice and Joe Bradshaw missed a penalty in a 3-2 loss to the Magpies at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby on Saturday.
This result adds to a challenging start to the U18 Premier League North season for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's team, who are currently languishing at the bottom of the table with just one point from their first six matches. Ngumoha, the highly-touted 16-year-old who joined from Chelsea in the summer, started on the left wing after three substitute appearances. He came close to scoring several times in the first half, including a shot that rattled the crossbar.
However, it was Newcastle who broke the deadlock on the 31-minute mark, with Ethan Ndiweni scoring on the rebound after Kacey Wooster's shot was saved by Liverpool's goalkeeper Bailey Hall. Liverpool equalised seven minutes later when a quick passing sequence ended with Bradshaw's shot being saved by Newcastle's keeper Will Anderson, and Ahmed pouncing on the rebound to score, reports the Liverpool Echo.
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The match was ultimately decided in an eventful start to the second half. Four minutes after the restart, Bradshaw was fouled in the box but sent the resulting penalty wide of the mark.
Newcastle capitalised on their good fortune by retaking the lead just three minutes later, with Ndiweni bagging his second of the match. They then extended their lead at 57 minutes when Ngumoha gave away a penalty, which was successfully converted by Joe Brayson.
However, Ngumoha played a key role in Liverpool clawing back a goal six minutes later, driving into the box and finding Ahmed who, after his initial cross was blocked, managed to squeeze the rebound home from a tight angle. The Reds' U19 side is set to face Bologna in the UEFA Youth League at Kirkby this Wednesday.
Liverpool.com says: Results are nice to have but the main thing for Liverpool at U18 level is development. Losing is never a good habit to get into but if the Reds can bring through players like Ngumoha, who has looked exciting so far in a red shirt, then struggling in the table is not going to matter at all.