The 18-year-old winger helped the Reds recover from a two-goal deficit at Anfield on Tuesday, supplying Ronald Araújo’s equaliser just before half-time before creating Alexis Mac Allister’s goal that put Liverpool ahead in the second half.
Liverpool eventually won 4-3, with Mac Allister scoring twice and Florian Wirtz adding a fourth after the turnaround.
Ngumoha’s first assist came from a delivery across the area that Araújo met to make it 2-2. For the third goal, the teenager drove at the Villarreal defence and delivered a cross that Mac Allister converted.
At 18 years and 52 days, Ngumoha became the youngest player to provide an assist for Liverpool in European competition, according to Opta statistician Michael Reid. He surpassed Michael Owen, who had held the record after setting up a goal against Valencia aged 18 years and 324 days in November 1998.
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video after the match, Ngumoha said the team had never lost belief despite falling behind.
“It was a top performance from the boys. 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.”
Asked to assess his own display, he said: “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.”
The teenager said he was willing to take on defenders whenever the opportunity presented itself, explaining that his confidence was part of how he tried to unsettle opponents.
“Yeah, definitely. 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.”
Ngumoha placed the team’s result above the personal milestone.
“These records are amazing to break but the assist so we win is the most important thing.”
He also singled out his second assist as his favourite moment of the night, recalling how he was able to turn quickly and attack space after a defender moved in close.
“Probably the second one, because the man came tight to me and the ball came, my first touch was direct and then I’m able to run at pace. Macca, good finish.”
Ngumoha added that working on the right wing had helped his development, crediting the coaching staff and senior players for their support.
“Definitely. 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.”
The teenager also spoke about the reception from the Anfield crowd, saying hearing supporters sing his name felt like a dream.
“Like I always say, we have the best fans in the world. To hear my name being chanted is a dream.”