Rio Ngumoha’s injury-time winner saw Liverpool beat Newcastle 3-2 away in a thriller at St James’ Park.
Ngumoha netted a 100th-minute winner from Mohamed Salah’s direct pass across the box after Liverpool burst forward on a last-gasp attack.
Ryan Gravenberch fired Liverpool into a 35th-minute lead from Cody Gakpo’s pass, before the latter again played provider just 20 seconds into the second half as he teed up Hugo Ekitike to net their match-winning goal.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon though had been red carded in the third minute of first-half injury-time after he recklessly lunged in on Virgil van Dijk, which initially saw him yellow carded before VAR upgraded the booking to a red card.
Bruno Guimaraes’ 57th-minute consolatory header and William Osula’s 88th-minute strike pulled Newcastle level prior to Ngumoha’s winner.
Newcastle now sit 15th in the Premier League whilst Liverpool moved up to third on goal difference behind leaders, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Much of the build-up to this match centred on Newcastle’s absent striker, Alexander Isak who is currently Liverpool’s hottest transfer target as the window hits its final week, but the Magpies stood firm defensively once the match commenced much like their stance on Isak’s future.
Liverpool however produced the first shot on target in the 13th minute after Ekitike intercepted Fabian Schar’s pass and curled towards the far right corner, but Nick Pope made a crucial punch to divert the ball behind.
Newcastle subsequently enjoyed a heavy spell of possession during which Gordon headed Harvey Barnes’ cross over the bar in the 28th minute, before he then smashed Anthony Elanga’s cross into Alisson’s arms barely a minute later.
Gordon’s wasted chances were punished in the 35th minute as a Liverpool attack up the left saw Jones get around the box, only to be fouled but the ball fell for Gakpo who teed up Gravenberch to cut into space and rifle low past a wrong-footed Pope to break the deadlock.
Tensions continued to rise until Gordon launched a reckless lunge on Van Dijk in the first minute of injury-time, which ultimately saw him red carded after a VAR review – having initially received a yellow card from referee – Simon Hooper.
Gordon’s dismissal proved further costly just 20 seconds into the second half as Liverpool rapidly sprang forward, with Gakpo able to tee up Ekitike to smash his shot into the left corner for the Frenchman’s third goal in his first three competitive appearances for the Reds.
Hooper added further frustration to Newcastle’s plight as he coldly ignored clear fouls from Ibrahima Konate and Gravenberch on Barnes and Joelinton respectively.
Newcastle however pulled a goal back in the 57th minute after a throw-in was blocked out to Livramento who whipped the ball back into the box for Guimaraes to nod into the bottom right corner.
Newcastle continued to push hard but were dealt a double blow after Sandro Tonali and Joelinton picked up shoulder and groin injuries respectively, whilst Fabian Schar was replaced by debutant – Malick Thiaw due to a concussion.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies however refused to concede defeat and won a deep 87th-minute free-kick from which Dan Burn nodded on for Osula to flick in past Alisson to spark wild celebrations, as Liverpool again blew a 2-0 lead for the second consecutive match.
Newcastle continued to mount late pressure but were ultimately beaten after a 100th-minute Liverpool attack up the right fell for Salah, who calmly played a direct pass through the box which was turned in by Ngumoha for the 16-year-old’s first senior goal to snatch victory.
What’s Next?
Newcastle visit Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday 30 August in a 5:30pm BST kick-off ahead of the first international break of the season.
Liverpool host Arsenal in an early showdown between two of the expected title contenders on Sunday 31 August at 4:30pm at Anfield.
Teams
Newcastle: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier (Hall 76′), Fabian Schar (Thiaw 81′), Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali (Miley 66′), Joelinton (Ramsey 76′), Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes (Osula 77′)
Substitutes: Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Lewis Miley, Jacob Murphy, William Osula, Aaron Ramsdale, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Joe Willock
Liverpool: Alisson, Curtis Jones (Elliott 96′), Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz (Chiesa 80′), Cody Gakpo (Ngumoha 96′), Hugo Ekitike (Bradley 80′)
Substitutes: Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Rio Ngumoha, Andrew Robertson
Referee: Simon Hooper
Leave a Reply