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Andoni Iraola reaction speaks volumes after Rio Ngumoha's brilliant showing - 'He is ready now'

Rio Ngumoha was a star performer for Liverpool against Villarreal in the Champions League, with Andoni Iraola reacting to his showing with glowing praise post-match

Rio Ngumoha during Liverpool 4-2 Villarreal.
Rio Ngumoha during Liverpool 4-2 Villarreal.

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola was delighted with the performance of Rio Ngumoha in the Champions League as his side came from behind to beat Villarreal.

The Reds had been two goals down but ended up winning 4-3, with Ngumoha starring alongside Alexis Mac Allister. The pair drove their team forward to maintain Liverpool's 100 percent record in Europe so far this season after victories over Atletico Madrid and LASK.

"I'm really happy with Rio," Iraola told Amazon Prime. "He's playing really well. He's trying to improve everything that we try to correct. He adapted, he is ready now, and we have changed a little bit.

"He is playing a lot more on the right and he was used to playing on the left, and he has adapted well.

"He has a lot of threat of going one-on-one, coming inside and even finishing with the left foot. Even defensively... he's becoming a more complete player. He's still only 18."

Ngumoha didn't score, but he helped instigate the comeback with some excellent crosses for his teammates. The teenager had defenders twisting one way and then another on a spectacular night.

Ngumoha impressed for Liverpool once again
Ngumoha impressed for Liverpool once again

"It was a top performance from the boys," he said. "We were two goals down but the mentality was always there; it came from within and we knew we were going to win. 4-3, delighted with the win."

On his own individual display, Ngumoha added: "It’s up there with one of the best I’ve played, I think. I enjoyed myself out there. The team helped me as well a lot. I enjoyed today.

"Whenever I get the ball and there’s an opportunity to go one-v-one or two-v-one sometimes, by all means I’ll do it.

"I believe in myself to do it. The more chances we get, the more it makes the opposition worry. I just keep going and be ruthless."

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Ngumoha became the youngest Liverpool player to assist a goal in Europe and notched a second assist for Mac Allister in the second half as well.

"Like I always say, we have the best fans in the world," he said. "To hear my name being chanted is a dream."

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