Van Dijk Credits Salah for Ngumoha’s Growth as Liverpool Teenager Impresses

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says Mohamed Salah played a big part in Rio Ngumoha's growth, and he believes there is "much more" to come from the teenager.

Ngumoha was Liverpool's best player in Tuesday night's Champions League win over Villarreal, setting up two goals as the Reds came from 2-0 down at Anfield. He is normally a left winger, but he has done well on the right this season. Van Dijk said learning from Salah has helped him settle into the new role.

"A few senior players [have helped him]," Van Dijk said. "I would say Cody Gakpo is definitely part of that. But everyone has that role in order to help the youngsters in the group, the players who have not had so much experience.

"Everyone is chipping in but for him to work with Mo last year was obviously massive as Mo was one of the best wingers at the club and experienced everything so why not soak in all the information and show it on the pitch and show your own qualities?

"I think he has shown it this season but there is still much more to come."

He also praised the youngster's display on the night. "He's pretty electric at times and he showed it again. He was a complete threat constantly and their defender had a tough time."]

['I'm Really Happy': Ngumoha Reflects on Historic Night in Liverpool's Villarreal Win]

Van Dijk was also honest about his own part in a shaky start. A rare mistake from him let Georges Mikautadze put Villarreal ahead early on, and more loose defending allowed Sergi Cardona to make it 2-0. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz then turned the game around for Andoni Iraola's side.

"It was a terrible start," Van Dijk said. "I think the saying is you fight an uphill battle and as a defender it is pretty difficult to come back from it. I tried but it was a bad day at the office personally but we did it together with 11 players. We turned it around and that's the main thing.

"Unfortunately in life these things can sometimes happen. Fortunately it didn't happen too many times in my Liverpool career but tonight I was not the best. But we won and it's not about me, it's all about us. We got the three points."