Mohamed Salah Drops Truth Bomb: What He Told Liverpool's Record-Smashing Teen Sensation

Mohamed Salah revealed he advised 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha to maintain focus and remain "grounded" to prevent the emerging talent from reaching his peak prematurely at Liverpool.

While Liverpool welcomed several star players this summer, Ngumoha has stood out as one of the most promising young talents wearing the red jersey. The youngster impressed during preseason with two goals and two assists across four matches before becoming the hero at St. James' Park.

Making his Premier League bow, Ngumoha netted the decisive goal for Arne Slot's team in the dying moments of stoppage time, clinching an exciting 3–2 triumph against a depleted Newcastle United squad. At just 16 years and 361 days, Ngumoha set a new record as Liverpool's youngest ever goalscorer, surpassing Ben Woodburn's previous mark.

The fairytale moment for the young winger generated significant buzz and excitement across social platforms, which prompted Salah to urge Ngumoha to avoid such distractions.

"I advised [Ngumoha] following the match: Simply stay away from social media," Salah shared during a conversation with Men in Blazers' Roger Bennett. "Sure, you can celebrate the goal with your loved ones, with your mates. Savor this experience completely because these are your initial breakthrough moments in football.

"But don't get caught up seeking validation from the external world because it will always be artificial. You'll constantly chase that—that sensation from outsiders if you only seek recognition from external sources," Salah explained.

Salah himself recently created a stir on social platforms after criticizing a Liverpool supporter account for content he claimed was "showing disrespect" toward Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez, two players who departed Anfield this summer for Bayern Munich and Al Hilal respectively.

Given this context, it's understandable why the Egyptian forward warned Ngumoha about the pitfalls of seeking online approval or dealing with criticism, even when it appears to come from Liverpool fans.

Salah also shared his thoughts on the promising future ahead for the young striker, who earned a spot in Liverpool's 2025–26 Champions League roster ahead of Federico Chiesa.

"What lies ahead for him? That depends on how he manages this situation," Salah noted. "How will we collaborate? I need [him] to put in the effort and remain grounded because he's still very young. I explained that some players reach their peak too soon and then face difficulties afterward.

Liverpool are carefully tracking Ngumoha's development rather than immediately thrusting him into the limelight every week. With the recent signings of Hugo Ekitiké and now Alexander Isak strengthening Slot's attacking options, the club has the luxury of being patient with Ngumoha's progression.

"I genuinely hope for his success. He's surrounded by good people and we consistently communicate with him—the manager also mentors him, so he simply needs to stay grounded and work hard to see what unfolds," Salah concluded.