Records are meant to be broken — but that doesn’t always make it easy. Former Liverpool midfielder Ben Woodburn has opened up about how it felt watching Rio Ngumoha take away a record he held for almost nine years.
Back in 2016, a teenage Woodburn became Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer after netting against Leeds United in the League Cup. Fast forward to August 2025, and 17-year-old Ngumoha etched his name into Anfield history with a dramatic winner at Newcastle.
Woodburn, now 26 and playing for Salford City, was honest about his emotions. “I didn’t love it. But I was really happy for him,” he told the Manchester Evening News.
“For me, I kind of felt in the moment that [the record] didn’t really matter, I probably didn’t realise how big it was at the time, so I’d imagine he’s the same.”
The Welshman’s words carry a tone of pride and perspective. Once hailed as one of Liverpool’s brightest young talents, Woodburn knows better than most how tricky the path can be after an early breakthrough.
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Rio Ngumoha: The new kid lighting up Anfield
While Woodburn’s career took him to the lower leagues, Ngumoha looks like he’s here to stay. The youngster signed a new long-term contract last month and has already earned a place in Arne Slot’s first-team plans.
Woodburn added, “He’s probably just loving playing his football. He’s played since and he’s been great every time he’s played for Liverpool.”
With Liverpool’s attack now stacked with expensive signings like Isak and Ekitike, it’s impressive that Ngumoha has already featured in several big games. “It’s so difficult for a 17-year-old lad to play,” Woodburn admitted. “But I was surprised how many games he’s played already. To me he looks like he could be one of the best wingers in the world.”
Ngumoha’s rise is a reminder that Anfield never stops producing stars. And for fans, watching another academy gem take center stage feels like déjà vu in the best way possible.
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Rio Ngumoha – 2025/26 Season So Far
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 3 | 1 | – | 10′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 1 | 0 | – | 16′ |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 0 | – | 75′ |
| Community Shield | – | – | – | – |
| Total 2025/26 | 5 | 1 | – | 101′ |