Liverpool rely on 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha to overcome 10-man Newcastle United fightback

LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot called the English Premier League “special”, as his side needed a 100th-minute winner from 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha to beat Newcastle United 3-2 on Aug 25 after blowing a two-goal lead against the 10-man Magpies.

Ryan Gravenberch and long-time Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike struck for the English champions, either side of Anthony Gordon’s red card for a wild lunge on Virgil van Dijk.

But amid a frenzied atmosphere at St James’ Park, Newcastle battled back through Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula – only to be denied by teenage sensation Ngumoha, who became the youngest scorer in Liverpool’s history.

“This is also what makes the Premier League special,” said Slot.

“Maybe it wasn’t the best game in terms of tactics or in terms of playing football, but I think every fan everywhere around the world enjoyed watching...

“Winning away at Newcastle, you definitely need to have quality, especially in an atmosphere like this. To have the mentality to fight here in such a hostile stadium, that is definitely something you need.”

Victory takes Liverpool level on maximum points from two games with Tottenham Hotspur and title rivals Arsenal, who travel to Anfield on Aug 31.

Newcastle remain without a win as they miss their wantaway talisman Alexander Isak.

The Swedish striker scored the decisive goal when the sides last met in the League Cup final in March, as Newcastle lifted their first domestic trophy for 70 years.

But he is yet to feature for Eddie Howe’s men this season as he seeks an exit from Tyneside.

Liverpool are the likely destination if Isak does leave before the transfer window closes in a week’s time. Adding to the Magpies’ frustration is the fact Liverpool also won the race to sign Ekitike, whom Newcastle had lined up as a potential Isak replacement.

Roared on by a ferocious capacity crowd of over 50,000, Newcastle pinned Liverpool inside their own half without finding the final finish.

Instead, it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play on 35 minutes via Gravenberch.

It got even worse for Newcastle before the break as Gordon took out his frustrations by charging late into van Dijk and was dismissed after a video assistant referee review.

Slot had not even taken his seat for the second half by the time his side doubled their lead 20 seconds in.

Ekitike made it two goals in as many Premier League games with a composed side-footed finish.

Newcastle fought back, however, through Guimaraes and young Dane Osula.

The Magpies continued to charge forward in search of a memorable winner, only to be picked off by Liverpool’s attacking quality.

Mohamed Salah’s pass was brilliantly dummied by Dominik Szoboszlai to leave Ngumoha unmarked to curl calmly into the far corner just days before his 17th birthday.

“Second half we had a mountain to climb at 2-0 down with 10 men, but I thought we controlled the game,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said.

“I thought we were really good and fought our way back unbelievably well but couldn’t get over the line.” AFP, REUTERS