Allnigeriasoccer.com can report with certainty that the interaction between Calvin Bassey and Rio Ngumoha after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday at Anfield was not related to the Super Eagles, contrary to speculation in some quarters. 

Ngumoha has earned rave reviews for his imperious display against the Cottagers, during which he became the youngest player in history to score in a Premier League match at Anfield, breaking the deadlock at just 17 years and 225 days old.

Shortly after the final whistle, television cameras captured Bassey and Ngumoha smiling and exchanging light-hearted banter on the Anfield pitch, sparking speculation that the Fulham centre-back was acting as an unofficial intermediary to persuade the Liverpool forward to represent the Super Eagles.

Bassey and Ngumoha have known each other since childhood, having both trained at London-based grassroots club EastSoccerBase during their formative years.

They are both from the same locality, Manor Park, a residential area in the London Borough of Newham.

The Nigeria international was simply engaging in a friendly conversation with Ngumoha, given their shared ties to East Soccer Base and their common residential area.

As things stand, Ngumoha, who is provisionally cap-tied to England, remains committed to the 1966 world champions. 

The Liverpool number 73 featured for the Young Lions at U15, U16 and U17 level, before being fast-tracked into the U19 setup after breaking into the Reds first team.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel