Rio Ngumoha makes Liverpool history with unexpected debut after triggering Chelsea ban

Rio Ngumoha grew to become the youngest participant ever to start out a aggressive match for Liverpool.

The ahead, who’s 16 years and 135 days previous, was a shock inclusion in Arne Slot’s beginning XI for his or her 4-0 win over FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley.

Enjoying behind striker Darwin Nunez, Ngumoha lined up alongside Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott in a 4-2-3-1 and confirmed some moments of promise.

Darting in off the left wing, he gave Accrington’s defenders a tricky time earlier than dropping off within the second half and being substituted for Jayden Danns within the 72nd minute, along with his alternative scoring 4 minutes later.

Discussing the debutant post-match, Slot stated: “I feel he did properly, there have been a couple of moments the place the followers may see why we predict he is a expertise.

“He is actually good in one-v-one conditions, he is quick and may change path quick which he confirmed a bit extra within the first half than the second half.

“I feel it is good to make your debut and to win and he had a couple of excellent actions the place the followers reacted as properly so it was a pleasant and special occasion for him.”

The English prospect joined Liverpool from Chelsea on his sixteenth birthday in a pre-agreed deal which left the Blues livid.

It’s understood they subsequently banned Liverpool and Manchester United scouts from attending academy fixtures within the fallout of Ngumoha’s exit.

Since arriving at Liverpool, the highly-rated Englishman had solely competed at Beneath-18 and Beneath-19 stage to date.

Ngumoha was an unused substitute for the Carabao Cup quarter-final in opposition to Southampton and repeatedly trains with the first-team.

His inclusion within the beginning XI in opposition to League Two facet Accrington Stanley not solely made him the youngest participant ever to function in an FA Cup match for Liverpool, but in addition the youngest participant ever to start out a aggressive fixture.

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Ngumoha overtook teammate Elliott, who was 16 years and 174 days previous on his Liverpool debut in opposition to MK Dons within the EFL Cup in 2019.

Jerome Sinclair stays the youngest participant within the Reds’ aggressive historical past, having featured on the age of 16 years and 6 days in 2012 – however he didn’t begin the match.

Explaining the choice to choose Ngumoha, Slot stated earlier than the sport: “It’s at all times particular when a younger participant makes his debut, irrespective of which nation you’re in. You recognize what it means to the participant.

“He’s a younger child that has been with us for half a season. He has educated largely with the Beneath-21s however typically with us.

“However when he has been with us, he is not afraid to do what he’s good at – taking gamers on. I hope he will get the possibility to point out his high quality.”

It was additionally a debut for Slot – who was managing within the FA Cup for the primary time ever.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s screamer was the spotlight of the match, as Diogo Jota, Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa additionally bought on the scoresheet.

The Dutch supervisor added: “I may discuss for hours about that (Alexander-Arnold objective), unbelievable.

“The most important praise Trent may get was the response of everybody after the Manchester United recreation.

“Each participant world wide, possibly apart from a couple of, has a foul recreation and that’s utterly regular, however the second Trent has one, everybody has an opinion about it.

“Possibly that’s due to the contract scenario. I do not know if that wasn’t there if individuals would have reacted in the identical approach.

“You could have such an awesome first half of the season and you do not play recreation in opposition to United – and that was clear for me, for you, the followers and the analysts who noticed the sport – however lots of them had been fairly onerous on him.

“I feel it was good for him to play in our personal stadium and really feel the reception of the followers once more, it was additionally particular once more at present and that may solely assist him and us.”