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Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha(Image: LFC TV)
Rio Ngumoha has revealed how Andoni Iraola is changing the mentality of the Liverpool squad as he celebrated "one of the best" performances of his fledgling career.
Ngumoha lit up Anfield with a man-of-the-match display as the Reds came from behind to beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
The 18-year-old winger assisted goals for Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister before being replaced with 16 minutes to a standing ovation from the home support.
Liverpool have now lost only one of their 11 games under new head coach Iraola having won only four of their final 14 games under previous boss Arne Slot last season.
And asked what has shifted within the squad, Ngumoha said: "The mentality, really. Everyone knows last season the team wasn't good enough so this season we couldn't repeat that.
"The new manager came in and instilled a different mentality in us.
"In training, from the first day of pre-season to now, we've definitely got so much better and there's definitely another level to go, so that's good. We know we are a top, top team when we're on it."
Liverpool had fallen two goals behind during the early stages only for Mac Allister to pull a goal back before Ngumoha - playing on the right flank - contributed two assists in a single game for the first time in his 42nd senior outing for club and country.
"Every single time I get on the ball, if there's a chance to beat a man then 100% I will do it," he said to LFC TV. "I feel like today my success was good.
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"Knowing the right time when to pop it or move it or get crosses or shots off, I just keep working.
"It's still like a dream come true hearing Anfield scream my name all the time. We have the best fans in the world and I always say that.
"A top performance from the boys to get the three points. The place was rocking again. A good individual performance as well, so I'm happy."
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, Ngumoha added of his performance: "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.
"It’s helping me a lot in training, the gaffer, all the coaching staff, all the players believe in me. Slowly and slowly I’m getting better on the right."