Rio Ngumoha makes Liverpool history with an unexpected debut after causing Chelsea's sanction
Rio Ngumoha will become the youngest player to start a competitive game for Liverpool.
The striker, aged 16 years and 135 days, was a surprise inclusion in Arne Slot's starting XI to face Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup Saturday – live talkSPORT.
Ngumoha joined Liverpool of Chelsea on his 16th birthday in a previously agreed deal that infuriated the Blues.
It is understood that later forbidden Liverpool and Manchester United scouts prevent them from attending academy matches following Ngumoha's departure.
Since arriving at Liverpool, the highly regarded Englishman has so far only competed at the Under-18 and Under-19 levels.
Ngumoha was on the bench in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton and trains regularly with the first team.
His inclusion in the starting XI against League Two side Accrington Stanley not only makes him the youngest player to feature in an FA Cup match for Liverpool, but also the youngest player to start a competitive match. .
Ngumoha surpasses Harvey Elliott, who was 16 years and 174 days old on his debut for Liverpool against MK Dons in the EFL Cup in 2019.
Jerome Sinclair remains the youngest player in the Reds' competitive history, having appeared at the age of 16 years and six days in 2012, but did not start the match.
Explaining the decision to start Ngumoha, Slot said: “It's always special when a young player makes his debut, no matter what country you're in. You know what it means to the player.
“He is a young boy who has been with us for half a season. He has trained mainly with the under-21 team, but sometimes with us.
“But when he's been with us, he's not afraid to do what he's good at: taking on players. I hope he gets the chance to show his quality.”
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