Sixteen-year-old Rio Ngumoha scored on his Premier League debut to hand Liverpool a 3-2 win against 10-man Newcastle on Monday Night Football after the Magpies thought they had come from 2-0 down to secure a draw.
Just four days before his 17th birthday, Ngumoha was thrown on by Arne Slot in the 96th minute as the Reds searched for a winner. The teenager stole the show for Liverpool in pre-season – scoring three goals with two assists – and continued his form as he swept a finish into the far corner four minutes later for his first Premier League goal.
I am not talking about him playing ever week but he has shown himself in a big moment, a high-pressure moment, composure at such a delicate stage of the game… he has got to be involved, Sky Sports Jamie Carragher said after the game.
It capped off a raucous, chaotic game that had been dominated by the future of Alexander Isak beforehand after Liverpool had made a £110m bid for the striker earlier this summer. Isak has not trained with his team-mates since pre-season as he looks to orchestrate a move away before next Mondays deadline.
Jamie Carragher: Newcastle should sell Alexander Isak before transfer deadlineAs it happened | Teams | Match statsLive Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for freeGot Sky? Watch PL games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺The St James Park crowd – needing little encouragement to create a cauldron that almost got the better of Liverpool – thought they had seen their side come from behind to earn a point.
A fired-up Bruno Guimaraes led from the front, rising above Milos Kerkez to nod a goal back for his side just before the hour. 22-year-old Will Osula was then introduced – the only recognised striker in the squad – and slotted home after Liverpool failed to deal with a simple long ball that was flicked on by Dan Burn.
The comeback was even more impressive given they played half of the game with 10 men after makeshift No 9 Anthony Gordon was sent off in first-half injury time. He caught Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk down the back of the calf with his studs in a reckless challenge.
Gordon was originally shown a yellow card, but VAR recommended that the referee go to the pitchside monitor. After a review, Simon Hooper upgraded the booking to a straight red card, meaning the Magpies forward will now miss their next three domestic fixtures.
Liverpool were already 1-0 ahead by the time Gordon was given his marching orders, scoring against the run of play. The England international went close twice, too, but a fine strike from Ryan Gravenberch flew past Nick Pope to put the Premier League champions ahead.
And 20 seconds after the restart – and with Slot not yet back in the dugout – Hugo Ekitike doubled Liverpools lead. He had been heavily linked with Newcastle this summer as a replacement for Isak, but they were usurped for his signature.
He picked up a blocked effort from Cody Gakpo, going on a short run before drilling a low strike into the bottom corner. But it was the teenager Ugumoha who had the final say, again scoring when the Magpies had the momentum.
It sees Liverpool to two wins at the start of their latest title defence, although having conceded two goals in both games. While Eddie Howe will be pleased with how his side battled back – and especially two goals scored – Newcastle have just one point from two games and more headaches heading into the weekends game against Leeds, live on Sky Sports.
Praise for 16-year-old wonderkid Ngumoha Sky Sports Jamie Carragher: There has been something about this lad in pre-season where Liverpool supporters are getting really excited. Luis Diaz has moved on and he was the competition for Cody Gakpo on the left.
There is a feeling that Liverpool have to replace Luis Diaz but what do you do when you have a young player like this? That is definitely going to be in the minds of the Liverpool hierarchy in terms of what they do in the next week because when someone has an impact like that as a young player, that is not enough now.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk speaking to Sky Sports: It was a dream debut for him. I think that whole attack was quite good. It was a perfect attack. Im very pleased for Rio. Ive mentioned it before to him already, its all a start now.
He has to keep working hard and stay humble. He has to enjoy this, because these nights you cant take for granted. The three games Gordon will miss after red card Anthony Gordon will miss Newcastles next three matches after receiving a straight red card for serious foul play.
Sky Sports Jamie Carragher said: Its daft from Gordon. He was the best player on the pitch before that. It means Gordon will miss Newcastles trip to Leeds on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, followed by the home game against Wolves on September 13.
The 24-year-old will be available in Europe for Newcastles Champions League opener in the week commencing September 15. He will then miss their Premier League away match at Bournemouth on September 20, before returning domestically for Newcastles Carabao Cup third round tie in the week commencing September 22.
After the game, Van Dijk told Sky Sports of the challenge: I said to him, if this is not sending off, then I dont understand football. I think it was already strange that the referee has to go to the monitor, BUT unfortunately these things happen in football.
If you meant it or not, it happened. We move on. Slot: That wasnt a football matchLiverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to Sky Sports: Im not too sure if I saw a football match today. It was set-piece after set-piece, long throw.
It didnt have a lot to do with tactics, but I liked a lot how we stood strong. Going down to 10-men, you would expect that that is a big plus for us, but when a goalkeeper takes every free kick, then theres not so much help if you are one player up, and thats why it was so difficult for us to bring the 2-0 over the line.
I dont think there was so much open play to be played. In a set-piece, a long throw-in, a long ball from the goalkeeper, you dont need an extra man. Its always nice to have an extra player on hand, but its just not as beneficial as if they want to bring the ball out from the back and we can press them.
So, yes, with the ball, the one and only attack that was good in the second half, apart from maybe the 2-0, that was the one that led to the goal, which was a great attack. And for the first time, we went from right to the middle to the left, and a great goal for a 16-year-old.
Maybe it wasnt the best game in terms of tactics or in terms of playing football, but I think 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.
Howe: A bruising game with different emotionsNewcastle head coach Eddie Howe to Sky Sports: A bruising game for us with so many different emotions. Im really proud of the performance, really pleased with how we played, great energy, great intensity, really pleased with the following of the game plan and then adapting because we go to 10 men and for me were the better team in the second half as well as the first.
To come away with nothing and injuries and suspensions and concussions, its a pretty bad day. On Gordons red card: I thought there was no intent [in Gordons tackle]. People say it looks bad, Ive not seen it again.
I thought he was trying to pull out of the tackle in the end. Anthonys challenge is a red card and that doesnt look good in that respect, but as I said I dont think there was any intent from him. Story of the match in stats.
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