Defending Premier League champions Liverpool claimed all three points on Monday night with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park, in what will surely go down as one of the fiercest atmospheres of the season.
The Magpies started brightly, pressing Arne Slot’s men high and forcing errors in midfield to launch dangerous counterattacks. But against the run of play, Liverpool struck first when Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection, leaving Nick Pope helpless.
Newcastle’s task grew even harder soon after, as Anthony Gordon was dismissed for a reckless challenge that raked Virgil van Dijk’s calf.
Right after the interval, Hugo Ekitike—booed throughout the first half by the home crowd—doubled Liverpool’s lead with a sharp finish, so quickly that Slot was not even back on the touchline to witness it.
Despite being down to 10 men, Newcastle dug in and rallied. Bruno Guimarães pulled one back with a well-timed header, before substitute striker William Osula dramatically levelled the score late on.
Yet the final word belonged to Liverpool. Deep into stoppage time, 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha replaced Cody Gakpo and, in the 100th minute, coolly slotted home a stunning winner to seal a memorable night for the Reds.
The story around this match was dominated by Liverpool’s pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, and the Magpies’ frustrations certainly spilled over from online spaces into both the crowd and the pitch.
The hostility of the atmosphere initially benefitted Howe’s side as they were driven by their supporters to be first to every challenge in the first half, but Gordon went too far and was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Van Dijk.
Joelinton also went off with an injury, while Sandro Tonali was seen nursing a sore shoulder, and having come into the match with vigor, they may have lost a number of key players for the weekend.
As for the Reds, they will be delighted to have taken the points and seem to have avoided any injuries on Monday evening, but Slot will be disappointed with the fact that his team threw away their two-goal lead.
It has been reported that the Liverpool manager was so impressed by Ngumoha in pre-season that he decided to not pursue an additional signing in his position, and the teenager announced himself to the world with an emphatic finish on his Premier League debut.
