Supporters are convinced that Rio Ngumoha is the exact reason Mohamed Salah departed from Liverpool following the teenager's stellar performance in a Champions League comeback victory against Villarreal.

At 18 years old, Ngumoha delivered remarkable statistics during his 74 minutes on the Anfield pitch as the Reds erased a two-goal deficit.

The winger set up two goals, including Alexis Mac Allister finding the net in the 65th minute to push Liverpool ahead.

Ngumoha outplayed defender Sergi Cardona using a brilliant touch before driving into the Villarreal box and cutting the ball back to the Argentine midfielder.

This followed an earlier assist in the first half, where he delivered a precise cross from a corner kick that resulted in a headed goal.

At just 18 years and 52 days old, those assists made him the third-youngest player ever to record multiple assists in a single Champions League fixture.

Only Paris Saint-Germain star Warren Zaire-Emery against AC Milan in 2023 and Theo Walcott for Arsenal against Hamburg in 2006 achieved the feat at younger ages, with Walcott being 17 years and 250 days old and Zaire-Emery 17 years and 231 days old.

Ngumoha also stands as the youngest player to score or assist a goal for Liverpool in the tournament.

His display unfolded on the right flank previously occupied by Mohamed Salah during the summer.

The Egyptian concluded a nine-year tenure at Liverpool at the end of the previous campaign.

Now 34, Salah has experienced a decline in his peak abilities for the Reds while currently playing for Trabzonspor in Turkey.

Fan reactions poured in online, with one posting: "He could legit turn out a star. He's progress has been solid."

A second wrote: "He's scary good. Improving so much every game. We're so lucky."

A third commented: "Fact of the day: Rio Ngumoha is better than Mo Salah."

A fourth stated: "This boy is world class... England really got a generational player here."

A fifth praised: "Ngumoha - wow. We have our Salah replacement folks."

Another added: "Ngumoha was the reason Liverpool sold Mohammed Salah."

Manager Andoni Iraola offered high praise for the young winger during his post-match press conference.

He stated: "If we can put Rio in situations one-vs-one where he can get into the box, normally he makes plays, he produces things."

Iraola continued: "The assist to Alexis, I think it is, is a lovely play. He can even go down for a penalty, but he decides to continue and takes a great decision."

The coach also highlighted his physical growth, adding: "Also endurance-wise, he's been able to play more and more minutes. We were pushing for him a little bit, he was tired, but I think he has done a good effort and I'm very happy for him."

The former Bournemouth boss expressed satisfaction with the player's eagerness to develop further.

He noted: "I'm happy with his attitude because he's eager to improve the things that we think he needs to improve. He's eager to add more things to his game. He has changed the sides a lot and has played a lot on the right lately."

Iraola concluded: "That's the good thing with Rio, he's still 18, he's not the full package. He can add things, fortunately for us also, and I hope he continues the same way. It's not going to be always like this, he will have ups and downs in the process, but I'm happy because attitude-wise I'm seeing him in a great place.">