Teenage debutant Rio Ngumoha scored a stoppage-time winner as Liverpool edged Newcastle United 3-2 in a dramatic Premier League clash at St James’ Park on Sunday.
The build-up had been dominated by speculation surrounding Newcastle striker Alexander Isak’s desire to leave for Liverpool, but by the final whistle the absent Swede was overshadowed by 16-year-old Ngumoha, who became the club’s youngest-ever scorer and the fourth youngest in Premier League history.
Liverpool appeared in control after goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike put them 2-0 ahead, with Newcastle reduced to 10 men following Anthony Gordon’s red card in first-half stoppage time for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
But the match turned into a thriller. Bruno Guimaraes’ header pulled one back for the hosts in the 57th minute before William Osula capitalised on a defensive lapse to level in the 88th minute, sending the home fans into raptures.
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Just when Newcastle looked set to secure an unlikely point, Ngumoha struck in the 100th minute, rifling a first-time effort past Nick Pope to secure all three points for Arne Slot’s side.
Liverpool captain Van Dijk admitted his side had made the game harder than it needed to be.
“We could’ve made it easier,” he said. “We gave them the boost and the drive with the fans behind them, but we managed to get the three points and move on.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised his players’ resilience despite the defeat.
“Second half we had a mountain to climb at 2-0 down with 10 men, but I thought we controlled the game and fought our way back unbelievably well,” Howe said. “We just couldn’t get over the line.”
The result leaves Liverpool level on six points with Arsenal and Tottenham after two games, while Newcastle remain winless with a single point. The Isak transfer saga, meanwhile, continues to overshadow the Magpies, with reports suggesting club officials are in talks to resolve the uncertainty before the transfer window closes next week.
