Rio Ngumoha has credited head coach Andoni Iraola with changing the mentality of the Liverpool squad after producing a man-of-the-match display in Tuesday's 4-3 Champions League comeback victory over Villarreal at Anfield.
The 18-year-old winger assisted goals for Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister before being substituted with 16 minutes remaining to a standing ovation from the home crowd. Liverpool have now lost only one of their 11 games under Iraola, having won just four of their final 14 matches under previous boss Arne Slot last season.
Ngumoha on the squad's new mindset
Asked what has changed 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."
A career-best performance
Liverpool had fallen two goals behind early on before Mac Allister pulled one back, with Ngumoha then contributing 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 told LFC TV. "I feel like today my success was good. 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."
Support from the coaching staff
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, Ngumoha added: "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."
