Virgil van Dijk's Advice to Rio Ngumoha After Debut Goal

Virgil van Dijk's advice to Rio Ngumoha after debut goal

Read what Virgil van Dijk said about Rio Ngumoha's debut goal and his advice to the young player after Liverpool's 3-2 win over Newcastle.

“I'm very pleased for Rio, I've said it to him already, it all starts now, he has to keep working hard and stay humble...”

Virgil van Dijk praised Liverpool's young sensation Rio Ngumoha, cautioning him to “stay humble” after his dramatic winning goal in the 100th minute against Newcastle United. 

The 16-year-old phenom became Liverpool's youngest-ever scorer on his debut, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Reds at St. James' Park.

Ngumoha's stoppage-time strike capped off a nail-biting match that saw Newcastle fight back from 2-0 down with 10 men, thanks to Anthony Gordon's red card in first-half stoppage time. Despite the adversity, Liverpool held on, with Hugo Ekitike doubling their lead just 20 seconds into the second half. However, Bruno Guimarães and William Osula's goals kept Newcastle's hopes alive until Ngumoha's winner.

“Stay humble” might be Van Dijk's advice to Ngumoha, but the teenager's impact was undeniable. His debut goal not only sealed the win but also etched his name into Liverpool's record books. With this win, Liverpool joins Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on six points, while Newcastle now has one point from their opening two games.

Liverpool took a 2-0 lead against Newcastle United at St. James' Park, courtesy of Ryan Gravenberch's 35th-minute strike and Hugo Ekitike's swift finish 20 seconds into the second half. These goals came after Anthony Gordon's red card for a reckless tackle on Virgil van Dijk just before halftime, leaving Newcastle to play with 10 men.

The atmosphere at St. James' Park was electric, fueled by the Magpies' frustration over Liverpool's pursuit of their star striker Alexander Isak, who was notably absent due to his reported desire to leave the club. This tension seemed to drive Newcastle's players, particularly after Bruno Guimarães pulled one back in the 57th minute and William Osula equalized in the 88th minute to level the score at 2-2.

However, the dramatic turn of events wouldn't be complete without Rio Ngumoha's stunning winner in the 100th minute, securing a 3-2 victory for Liverpool. The 16-year-old's debut goal marked a thrilling finish to a match that saw Liverpool's defensive vulnerabilities exposed, but ultimately, their attacking prowess paid off.

90+10 🤯

Our latest ever @premierleague winner ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/ek6LGoNtx7

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 26, 2025

The Magpies put up a fierce fight despite being reduced to 10 men after Anthony Gordon's red card, but their efforts ultimately fell short. Bruno Guimarães and William Osula scored crucial goals for Newcastle, narrowing the deficit and giving their team hope for a comeback. However, it was Rio Ngumoha who stole the show with a stunning winner in stoppage time, securing a 3-2 victory for Liverpool.

Ngumoha's impressive performance in pre-season paid off as he came off the bench to finish off a fine Liverpool move deep into stoppage time, sealing the win for the Reds. This victory marked Liverpool's second win in as many games, with the team joining Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on six points. “It's a dream debut for him,” said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, praising Ngumoha's exceptional performance.

🤗❤️ pic.twitter.com/6XkWGa9LTE

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 25, 2025

“I'm very pleased for Rio, I've said it to him already, it all starts now, he has to keep working hard and stay humble, but (you) definitely have to enjoy this because these nights, you can't take them for granted if you're in his position.

“I'm sure with the players we have, he will be back in training and having a hard session tomorrow again.”

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk noted that the ongoing dispute between the clubs regarding Alexander Isak's future added extra intensity to the match, describing it as pouring “oil on the fire” in an already charged atmosphere at St. James' Park. This tension seemed to fuel Newcastle's determination, as they battled back from 2-0 down with 10 men to push for an equalizer, ultimately falling short due to Rio Ngumoha's dramatic late winner.

“We all know it's a difficult place to come. We know there was a lot of oil on the fire this week to get Newcastle fired up.

“What happened tonight was expected, and, for us, the disappointing part was that we conceded two set pieces. That shouldn't happen, but overall, great three points,” added the Dutch defender.

Newcastle United's defeat to Liverpool leaves them with a meager one point from their opening two games, exacerbating their striker conundrum. With the transfer window closing in just a week, Eddie Howe's team faces a daunting challenge in finding a suitable replacement or convincing Alexander Isak to drop his transfer request and rejoin the squad.

Isak's future remains uncertain, with Liverpool reportedly willing to pay £150 million to sign him, a deal that would break the British transfer record. However, Newcastle United's owners seem committed to finding a suitable striker, reassuring Howe that they won't leave the team without a recognized senior striker if Isak departs.

The clock is ticking, and Newcastle United's upcoming fixtures, including a match against Leeds United on August 30, will be crucial in determining their season trajectory. Meanwhile, Isak's Sweden coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, has urged caution in speculating about the striker's situation, emphasizing Isak's professionalism and hinting at potential call-ups for Sweden's World Cup qualifiers 

”I think a great performance from the players, both first and second half, in very different ways,” said Howe.

“First half, we thought we dominated the game. We were in a great place with just the goal missing. Second half, we had a mountain to climb at 2-0 down with 10 men, but I thought we controlled the game.

“I thought we were really good and fought our way back unbelievably well, but couldn't get over the line to get a point.”