Rio Ngumoha makes Liverpool history with unexpected debut after triggering Chelsea ban
Today at 07:01 AM
Rio Ngumoha will become the youngest player ever to start a competitive match for Liverpool.
The forward, who is 16 years and 135 days old, was a surprise inclusion in Arne Slot’s starting XI to face Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on Saturday – live on talkSPORT.
Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea on his 16th birthday in a pre-agreed deal which left the Blues furious.
It is understood they subsequently banned Liverpool and Manchester United scouts from attending academy fixtures in the fallout of Ngumoha’s exit.
Since arriving at Liverpool, the highly-rated Englishman has only competed at Under-18 and Under-19 level so far.
Ngumoha was an unused substitute for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton and regularly trains with the first-team.
His inclusion in the starting XI against League Two side Accrington Stanley not only makes him the youngest player ever to feature in an FA Cup match for Liverpool, but also the youngest player ever to start any competitive fixture.
Ngumoha overtakes Harvey Elliott, who was 16 years and 174 days old on his Liverpool debut against MK Dons in the EFL Cup in 2019.
Jerome Sinclair remains the youngest player in the Reds’ competitive history, having featured at the age of 16 years and six days in 2012 – but he did not start the match.
More to follow.
