Liverpool new signing takes latest step as 17-year-old scores twice in defeat
Rio Ngumoha made his first start for Liverpool but was unable to prevent the under-18s slipping to a home defeat against Newcastle United. Kareem Ahmed scored twice and Joe Bradshaw missed a penalty as the young Reds suffered a 3-2 loss to the Magpies at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby on Saturday afternoon.
It continues a testing start to the U18 Premier League North season for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side, who are bottom of the table having taken just one point from their opening six games.
After three substitute appearances, Ngumoha - the highly-rated 16-year-old who arrived from Chelsea in the summer - began on the left flank, and came close to scoring several times in the first half including one strike that hit the crossbar.
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But it was Newcastle who took the lead on 31 minutes, Liverpool losing the ball and Kacey Wooster having a shot saved by home goalkeeper Bailey Hall before Ethan Ndiweni netted the rebound.
The Reds were level seven minutes later when a swift passing move ended with Bradshaw being denied by Newcastle keeper Will Anderson and 17-year-old Ahmed being alert to follow up to score.
The game was decided during an incident-packed start to the second half. Four minutes after the interval, Bradshaw was fouled inside the area but smashed the resultant penalty off target.
Newcastle made the most of the escape by regaining the lead three minutes later with Ndiweni notching his second and then moved further ahead on 57 minutes when Ngumoha conceded a penalty which was converted by Joe Brayson.
Ngumoha, though, was heavily involved in Liverpool pulling a goal back six minutes later, pushing into the area and finding Ahmed who, after his attempted cross was blocked, forced the rebound home from a tight angle.
Liverpool are next in action on Wednesday when an U19 side takes on Bologna in the UEFA Youth League at Kirkby (kick-off 2pm).
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Hall; Esdaille, Pitt, Enahoro-Marcus, Evers; Ewing (Onanuga 46), Ahmed, O'Connor; Bradshaw, Sonni-Lambie, Ngumoha (Lonmeni 69). Subs: Furnell-Gill, Bernard, Ayman. BOOKED: Pitt.