Kop's Reaction To Liverpool's Third Goal Says It All About Rio Ngumoha

· GiveMeSport

Liverpool fans had their bums off seats all evening thanks to the swagger of teenager Rio Ngumoha.

When Liverpool found their way back from 2-0 down against Villarreal to put themselves back in front at Anfield, the Kop went wild - but it wasn't for the goalscorer.

Alexis MacAllister tapped in his second of the match to bring the score to 3-2 but that third goal was all about 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha. After the goal, the Kop could be heard bellowing the player's name.

Andoni Iraola will no doubt be keen to keep chatter around the youngster's potential calm, but the showing against Villarreal on Tuesday night has got the whole world thinking that Ngumoha could be a superstar.

Ngumoha's potential is no secret. Ever since becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club's history last year, all eyes have been on the tricky winger.

On Tuesday night, however, the excitement stepped up a notch. It was a brilliant performance all-round from the wide man, but that assist for the MacAllister's goal was something to remember.

It took Ngumoha just seconds to breach the Villarreal defence after receiving the ball, and lay it on a plate for the Argentine - but those moments may rest long in the minds of Liverpool fans.

The teenager's run was electric as he jinked past the Spanish side's back line, boasting both acceleration for the initial turn of speed and strength to hold off tackles. The youngster could have easily gone down for a penalty, but showed the tenacity to fight on.

There was a swagger to the moment. What makes it all the more exciting is Ngumoha is a player craving the biggest moments too. After grabbing the assist, the player ran in front of supporters at Anfield, arms aloft, as if he had scored the goal himself.

It's a fine line to walk, but one that Ngumoha is doing brilliantly. The rise has echoes of that of Raheem Sterling - not simply because both are young wingers, but because of that panache.

Speaking on Amazon Prime commentary, Premier League legend Alan Shearer said: > "He's been so, so positive. Without doubt Liverpool's best player. > > "He's been a constant, there's no other thought than go, be positive and get at defenders. > > "They've not been able to handle him, his pace, trickery and skill. Sometimes that last pass is the most difficult one. He put it on a plate for MacAllister, brilliant winger play."

Those words from Shearer came against the backdrop of the Kop calling the player's name. When Ngumoha was taken off moments later, the song returned, with the winger's huge grin on the bench picked up by cameras.

Just maybe, Ngumoha can go on to have the future that Sterling made for himself after his Liverpool breakthrough. After all, in a famous 2012 interview with The Guardian that echoes the moment Ngumoha is experiencing, Sterling once said: > "I'm not cocky. I'd say I've got swagger. > > "That's it. Obviously I know what I can do on the pitch so I'm confident on the pitch, but not cocky off it, no. I'm nowhere near where I think I can be, particularly in terms of goalscoring and the attacking side of my game. There's a lot more to come."

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