Mohamed Salah has warned Liverpool’s teenage sensation, Rio Ngumoha, to leave social media alone and focus on enjoying the moment after his breakthrough goal against Newcastle.
Ngumoha, days before his 17th birthday, swept home the winning goal in the 100th minute of a topsy-turvy contest at St James’ Park to become the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.
The teenager’s goal capped a remarkable rise for Ngumoha, who had shone during pre-season for Arne Slot’s side, but Salah has advised the youngster not to get ahead of himself.
“He's still so young,” Salah explained to the Men in Blazers podcast. “I told him after the game: ‘Just leave the social media alone’. OK, you can be happy about the goal with your family, with your friends. Enjoy the moment to the max because it's like your first moments in football.”
“But don't really get engaged and just get your appreciation from outside world because it's always going to be fake. You're going to always try to seek that – that feeling from outside if you just get the appreciation from outside.
“So what future is waiting for him? It depends how he's going to handle the situation. How are we going to work? I need to work hard and just stay humble because he's very young. I told him that some players peak too early and they're going to struggle after that.
The pitchside angle of Rio's moment 📲✨ #TeamPixel | #Ad pic.twitter.com/51NZlAc3pn
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“I really wish him the best. He has a good group (here around him) and we always try to speak with him – and the manager (Arne Slot) also speaks to him, so he just needs to stay humble and work and see how things go.”
Ngumoha was included in the matchday squad as Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the season with a 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Slot has said Ngumoha will have the chance to fight for minutes this season, though, with competition for places getting even tighter following the arrival of Alexander Isak, the young winger will likely have to be patient.
