Rio Ngumoha, aged just 16, scored a dramatic late winner for Liverpool against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, securing a 3-2 victory. The match was a thrilling encounter, with Liverpool initially leading 2-0 through goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, before Newcastle fought back to equalize despite Anthony Gordon’s red card. Arne Slot praised Ngumoha’s fearlessness and finishing ability, while acknowledging the challenges posed by Newcastle’s direct style of play. The win marks a positive start to the season for Liverpool, but also highlights areas for improvement defensively.
Newcastle United 2-3 Liverpool – St. James’ Park witnessed a Premier League thriller on Monday night, with Liverpool emerging victorious thanks to a stunning late goal from 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha. The young forward, still four days shy of his 17th birthday, etched his name into Liverpool folklore with a composed finish in the dying moments of stoppage time, securing a 3-2 win for Arne Slot’s side.
The match was a captivating encounter, filled with drama and controversy. Liverpool initially appeared to be cruising to victory with goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, establishing a 2-0 lead. However, Newcastle, spurred on by a fervent home crowd, battled back admirably. Anthony Gordon’s red card in the first half threatened to derail their efforts, but they responded with goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula, leveling the score at 2-2.
Despite being a man down, Newcastle adopted an ultra-direct approach, launching a barrage of set-pieces, long throws, and hopeful balls into the Liverpool box. This tactic proved surprisingly effective in disrupting Liverpool’s rhythm and creating opportunities. Slot acknowledged the challenge posed by Newcastle’s direct play, stating, “I’m not too sure if I saw a football match today. It was set-piece after set-piece, long throws… It didn’t have a lot to do with tactics.”
However, it was Ngumoha who ultimately stole the show. Introduced as a substitute, the teenager displayed remarkable composure and finishing ability, calmly slotting the ball past Nick Pope to send the Liverpool faithful into raptures. His goal made him the second-youngest player to score a Premier League winner, trailing only Wayne Rooney, who was one day younger when he scored for Everton against Arsenal in 2002.
Slot was effusive in his praise for Ngumoha, highlighting his fearlessness and natural finishing ability. “It was a great goal for a 16-year-old. Rio can finish so well for his age. I did hear someone say afterwards in the dressing room that he would have taken a first touch, but he is so confident! For his age, he is a really good finisher.”
The victory wasn’t without its complexities for Liverpool. It marked the first time since December 2001 that they had conceded two goals while their opponents were reduced to ten men in a Premier League match. Slot admitted that Newcastle’s direct approach made it difficult to capitalize on their numerical advantage. “Going down to 10 men, you would expect that it is a big plus for us, but when a goalkeeper takes every free-kick, there’s not so much help if you are one player up.”
Adding another layer of intrigue to the match was the presence of Hugo Ekitike, who had previously rejected a move to Newcastle before joining Liverpool. The home fans made their displeasure known, booing Ekitike’s every touch. The game also fueled speculation surrounding Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s coveted striker, who continues to be linked with a potential move to Liverpool.
When pressed about the possibility of making another bid for Isak before the transfer window closes, Slot remained tight-lipped, choosing to focus on Ekitike’s performance. “I think the story should be about Hugo Ekitike scoring another goal for us and it wouldn’t be fair for me to talk about anything else. He’s been three games with us now, scored three goals and impacted the games he played. This is not the place to talk about anything else, but I can understand you asking.”
The atmosphere at St. James’ Park was electric throughout the match, with the Newcastle fans providing unwavering support for their team. Slot acknowledged the passionate support, stating, “Every fan everywhere around the world enjoyed watching this game of football, also because their fans were amazing in terms of the help they gave the home team.”
Ngumoha’s emergence as a potential star is a significant boost for Liverpool, and his late winner will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal moment in the young forward’s career. The victory at St. James’ Park represents a positive start to the season for Arne Slot’s side, but they will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.
