Ngumoha makes dream debut, lashing in a late winner for Liverpool

NEWCASTLE, England — The future of absent Alexander Isak dominated the build-up to Newcastle United's clash at home to Liverpool, but the Swede was temporarily forgotten in a rip-roaring contest that ended 3-2 to the reigning champion thanks to a stoppage-time winner by teenage Premier League 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 like Arne Slot's men had buckled in the Tyneside pressure cooker, as they threw away a flattering 2-0 lead against a side reduced to 10 men via Anthony Gordon's first-half red card.

But, 16-year-old Ngumoha broke Newcastle hearts shortly after coming off the bench, lashing in the winner with a first-time right-foot shot in the 10th minute of stoppage time, becoming Liverpool's youngest ever scorer and the fourth youngest in Premier League 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 this game."

It was a sickening blow for Newcastle, which was again without outcast striker Isak, but which began the game in superb fashion.

Even when the red mist and fate had dealt the team multiple blows, it still showed great resilience to fight back, but it all counted for nothing in the end.

"We know there was a lot of oil on the fire this week to get Newcastle fired up," Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk said.

"I enjoy these type of atmospheres, so I was really looking forward to it, but we could've made it easier. We gave them the boost and the feeling and the drive with the fans behind them, but we managed to get the three points and move on."

Liverpool had been forced to soak up Newcastle pressure for half an hour and had made little headway, before taking the lead completely against the run of play when Ryan Gravenberch cut in from the left and fired a low driving effort just inside Nick Pope's post in the 35th minute.