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Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha backed to handle Paris St Germain start
Virgil van Dijk is confident teenager Rio Ngumoha would rise to the challenge if backed to start for Liverpool against Paris St Germain.
The 17-year-old scored the opening goal in a sparkling display as the Reds claimed a much-needed three points with a 2-0 defeat of Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
The victory brought relief to Arne Slot’s side after being outplayed by Manchester City and PSG in their previous two games.
They now face the daunting task of hosting the French side while trailing 2-0 on aggregate in their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Ngumoha’s emergence has offered Liverpool encouragement and Van Dijk believes he could make an impact if called upon.
The Liverpool captain said: “He would take it in his stride.
“He’s a humble kid who works hard and listens. He wants to improve constantly. He has big dreams.
“It’s down to him and the people around him to make sure that he stays like that. I’m not worried that anything will change on that front.
“It’s down to the manager to decide the team and the game plan for Tuesday. Whether you start or not, everyone has to feel part of something special. That’s the thing we need to try and beat PSG.”
Ngumoha was already Liverpool’s youngest goalscorer after netting a dramatic late winner at Newcastle in August, when he was 16.
At 17 years and 225 days, he now holds the club record as the youngest Premier League goalscorer at Anfield, eclipsing Raheem Sterling’s previous mark.
Van Dijk said: “He’s taken the record from Raheem which is very nice for him and should motivate and push him even more. You shouldn’t take things like that for granted and he won’t. He has to keep going.”
Ngumoha set Liverpool on their way when he wrong-footed Timothy Castagne and curled inside the far post after 36 minutes.
Mohamed Salah doubled the lead soon after and the hosts held on to bolster their hopes of Champions League qualification for next season despite a Fulham rally in the second half.
Van Dijk said: “Obviously we’re in the last stage of the season, so we have to win, and that’s what we did.
“Nothing more, nothing less. It was very important.”
Salah and Andy Robertson were making their first appearances at Anfield since it was announced they would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
The senior pair’s exit will leave a void and Van Dijk hopes others are ready to step up.
The 34-year-old said: “It’s not an opportunity, it’s a must. It just has to happen.
“There was always going be a day where the oldest are going to leave and others have to step up, carry the torch, carry the values of the club forward and set the right example.
“All good things come to an end.”
