FOOTBALL – The absent Alexander Isak dominated the build-up to Newcastle United’s Premier League clash at home to Liverpool but the Swede was forgotten in a rip-roaring contest that ended 3-2 to the reigning champions thanks to a stoppage-time winner by teenaged debutant Rio Ngumoha.
Isak’s desire to leave Newcastle, with Liverpool his destination of choice, guaranteed a boisterous St James’ Park atmosphere and it seemed Arne Slot’s visitors had buckled as they threw away a flattering 2-0 lead against a side reduced to 10 men by Anthony Gordon’s red card in first-half stoppage time.
But 16-year-old Ngumoha broke Newcastle’s hearts shortly after coming off the bench, thrashing in the winner with a first-time right-foot shot in the 10th minute of stoppage time to become the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League history.
It was a sickening blow for Newcastle who had begun the game in superb fashion and, even when fate had dealt them multiple blows, showed great resilience to fight back.
Liverpool had been forced to soak up Newcastle pressure for half an hour but took the lead completely against the run of play when Ryan Gravenberch cut in from the left and dispatched a low shot just inside Nick Pope’s post in the 35th minute.
Newcastle’s frustration got the better of Gordon who was sent off in first-half stoppage time for a rash tackle that left stud marks on the back of Virgil van Dijk’s calf – his initial yellow card being upgraded to a red by referee Simon Hooper.
And when Hugo Ekitike, who Newcastle had wanted to sign, struck 20 seconds after the break with the sort of clinical finish that makes you wonder whether Liverpool even require Isak, it looked all over for the hosts.
It was a curious display by Liverpool though with Mohamed Salah unusually quiet and when Bruno Guimaraes headed past Alisson in the 57th minute the noise levels rose.
Liverpool completely lost control of the game and were punished in the 88th minute as William Osula seized on defensive hesitation to nip in and slot a finish past Alisson.
Despite being a man down and suffering injuries to Joelinton and Fabian Schar it looked as though Newcastle might even grab an unlikely victory but Ngumoha struck in fairytale fashion to make it two wins from two games for Liverpool.
They join Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on six points while Newcastle, who will be desperate to settle the Isak saga, have one point from their opening two games.
“I’m not too sure it was a football match today. It was set-piece after set-piece, long throw after long throw. We didn’t collapse and stood strong. We didn’t play well enough on the ball. I don’t think there was so much open play,” Slot said.
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