Liverpool’s ‘wonderkid’ transfer target couldn’t have looked cooler with his backheel goal this weekend. Chris Rigg could be something special.
Sunderland's Chris Rigg made some headlines this weekend as he produced a wonderful backheel to score the winner for his side against Middlesbrough. It was the 17-year-old's first goal of the season and one that will be remembered for some time.
Patrick Roberts did the difficult work, admittedly, charging at Boro's backline and getting a shot off. The ball fell to Rigg in front of the keeper, whose first touch left it trickling towards the goal - or more specifically, slightly wide of the goal.
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Rigg had the chance to put it away but had to somehow contort his body to get the finish off before it ran out of play. Though, as it turned out, he didn't need to do that. As cool as a 35-year-old seasoned veteran, the teenager composed himself before opting for a little backheel into the goal, around the corner of the post.
Chris Rigg, take a BOW! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jwCquWElwG
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 21, 2024
It was a fantastic finish and exactly what you wouldn't expect from a player so young.
The Athletic, rightfully calling Rigg a 'wonderkid', caught up with the striker to talk about his goal. Here's how he described it.
“[The first touch] takes the ball away from the ’keeper,” he said. “It was the only thing I could have done because it dropped right in front of him, so I had to take it away from him. I was like ‘Aw, no, I’ve took it too wide’.
“Then the only thing I could do was backheel it.”
Liverpool like Chris Rigg
Liverpool are reportedly one of several clubs looking at Rigg right now. In truth, they'd be foolish not to - he's one of the brightest prospects in English football.
How many 17-year-olds are scoring in the Championship right now? Or any league of that level? Very few.
But this was Rigg's third league goal for Sunderland and he's developing beautifully. More of this and Liverpool will be striving to add him to their collection of elite youngsters.