Rio Ngumoha has become Liverpool's youngest ever FA Cup player as he was named in their starting XI to take on Accrington Stanley.
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Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha starts against Accrington StanleyWinger turned 16 in AugustBecomes the club's youngest ever FA Cup playerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The winger only signed for the club in the summer but was listed in a side also featuring Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominic Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota at Anfield. Ngumoha is aged 16 years and 135 days old, breaking a club record that was only set last season when Trey Nyoni featured aged 16 years and eight months. He is also the youngest player to ever start for the Reds.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ngumoha joined Liverpool's academy from Chelsea in the summer, generally featuring for their Under-18s and in the UEFA Youth League. He has increasingly been involved in the first-team picture under Arne Slot, however, and was named on the bench for last month's Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Southampton. The 16-year-old was preferred to Federico Chiesa for the cup tie at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo not involved.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ngumoha scored in the Under-17 Premier League cup final for Chelsea last season – and was heralded by Blues legend John Terry as a "top, top player" when he left the club. Speaking on an episode of Inside The Academy last year, Ngumoha revealed a desire to win the Ballon d'Or and become "one of the best players to ever play football".
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR NGUMOHA AND LIVERPOOL?
With Liverpool fighting on four fronts this season, more game time could be in the offing for their talented youngster. He may take advantage of a potential exit for Chiesa this month, while the Reds are also six points clear at the top of the Premier League and on the verge of qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League. More action is also likely in the UEFA Youth League, in which Liverpool sit 19th in the table and need points to secure qualification for the next stage.