A dramatic Premier League encounter at St. James' Park saw Liverpool snatch a 3-2 victory against a resilient, 10-man Newcastle United, thanks to a last-gasp goal from 16-year-old debutant Rio Ngumoha. The young substitute etched his name into Liverpool folklore with a coolly taken finish in the 100th minute, sending the travelling fans into raptures and securing all three points for the Reds.
The match was filled with twists and turns, with Newcastle initially dominating the opening stages. However, it was Ryan Gravenberch who silenced the home crowd with a superb long-range strike in the 35th minute, giving Liverpool an undeserved lead. Just before halftime, Newcastle's Anthony Gordon was shown a red card for a rash challenge on Virgil van Dijk, further compounding the Magpies' woes.
Despite being a man down, Newcastle started the second half disastrously as Hugo Ekitike, a former Newcastle target, extended Liverpool's lead with a clinical finish just 20 seconds after the restart. However, the home side showed incredible resilience, spurred on by a boisterous St James' Park crowd. Bruno Guimaraes headed in a goal in the 57th minute, reducing the deficit. With just two minutes of normal time remaining, William Osula capitalized on poor defending to level the score, sending the Newcastle fans into delirium.
Just when it seemed Newcastle had completed an unlikely comeback, teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha stepped up to steal the show. In the 100th minute, Ngumoha, who came on as a late substitute, slotted home the winner, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory for Liverpool and breaking Newcastle's hearts.
The victory meant Liverpool maintained a perfect start to the season, with two wins from two games. For Newcastle, it was a bitter pill to swallow, as they were left without a win and facing questions over the future of their star striker, Alexander Isak. The pre-match discussions had revolved around Isak's potential move to Liverpool, adding another layer of intrigue to the game.
Ngumoha's late heroics will undoubtedly be the talking point, marking a dream debut for the 16-year-old. His composed finish under pressure showcased his immense potential and provided a glimpse into a potentially bright future at Anfield. The Liverpool's substitutions proved decisive, as Ngumoha's winner highlighted the impact of manager Arne Slot's tactical decisions.
