Rio Ngumoha’s goal in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage saved Liverpool blushes in a 3-2 win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Monday.
Liverpool staged led 2-0 in the 46th minute and had a man advantage on 10-man Newcastle following goals from Hugo Ekitike and Ryan Gravenberch.
MORE — Postgame reaction from Howe, Slot, Van Dijk, Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula scored Newcastle’s goals, but the Magpies were denied a point when the 16-year-old Ngumoha smashed home.
Liverpool move to six points from two games, while Newcastle stay on one.
WATCH — Newcastle United v Liverpool full match replay
Ngumoha’s moment a fitting crescendo to brilliant opus
The drama was built into this game with weeks of rumors regarding Alexander Isak’s work to engineer a transfer to Liverpool, and Newcastle buzzed out of the gates. The Magpies pinned the Reds in their end for much of the early play, but it was Gravenberch’s clever across-body strike that fooled Nick Pope and put Liverpool ahead in what turned out to be the first act. The second began when Anthony Gordon flew across the field and raked his studs down the calf of Virgil van Dijk, putting an air of certainty around the champions’ victory hopes. Ekitike’s brilliant goal out of halftime turned out to be a misleading moment, as the 10-man Magpies took control of the game in the way 10-man teams rarely do — especially against a mighty team like Liverpool. Newcastle very much deserved to go level before the 90th minute but we were in for another twist. The 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha was a star this summer but he turned up the wattage when he kept his cool to bury the very late winner. This game was a tremendous advertisement for the league as well as both teams’ characters.... but did it further reveal weakness in the Reds defense? Two games blowing 2-0 leads and winning is way less fun of a story if it’s a trend.
What’s next?
Newcastle head to Leeds United at 12:30pm ET Saturday, while Liverpool host Arsenal at 11:30am Sunday.
How to watch Newcastle vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Monday
Venue: St. James’ Park — Newcastle-upon-Tyne
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: NBC.com
Newcastle vs Liverpool live updates, final score: 2-3
Ryan Gravenberch 35', Hugo Ekitike 46', Bruno Guimaraes 57', William Osula 90', Rio Ngumoha 90+10'
Red card: Anthony Gordon 45+2'
Bruno Guimaraes reaction to Newcastle comeback, drama around club
How are you feeling? “Very disappointing. We did the most difficult thing. We have to be proud against Liverpool, playing down a man for 45 minutes. To the fans, thank you. We are going to bounce back.”
On second-half comeback: “We were talking in the changing room not to concede in the first 15 minutes. We came out and did. Amazing goal, I’m very happy for the goal. But unfortunately it means nothing to me. We lost players. We need players fit for next game but I’m proud and always give everything I have for this club. I am proud to play for this club.”
On Anthony Gordon’s red card: “He wants to play the ball. He came later. I have not seen the video back. I don’t know if it was a red card. He wanted to help too much. I cannot say anything because I have not seen the video to be honest with you.”
On the atmosphere around the club and Alexander Isak’s transfer drama; “As players we always try to give our best. No one wins if the team loses is our mentality. There’s a lot of noise outside we cannot control. I cannot say anything because it’s bigger than me as a club. Our job is to give our best and do our fans proud.”
On Newcastle’s mentality: “We’re never going to give up. This is one of the best groups I’ve ever been involved in. We are always united, always together. Today is a hard one to take but we’re going to bounce back. Saturday we have a new opportunity. We go to Leeds and try to get three points.”
Virgil van Dijk reaction to blown lead, Rio Ngumoha winner
On the game: “We all know it’s a difficult place to come. We all know there’s a lot of wood on the fire this week to get Newcastle fired up. For us the disappointing part is we considered twice from set pieces. Great 3 points and focus on the next one.”
“Free kicks, corner kicks, then the pressure gets on and they have the quality if you look at the traditional top six here, there’s only a couple who happen to beat them. It’s always a difficult place to come, and today it was the same.”
What did he say to Anthony Gordon after red card? “I said to him, if it’s not a sending off than I don’t understand football. I think it’s strange that the referee had to go to the monitor.”
On Rio Ngumoha: “A dream debut for him. I think the whole attack was quite good. It started on our right hand side and Fede did the dummy. We stayed calm towards the end to try to find the right solution to score a goal. I’m very pleased to Rio. I’ve mentioned to Rio it’s all just a start and he has to keep working but he has to enjoy the moment.”
Rio Ngumoha goal — Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
Newcastle lose their heads, forgetting they have 10 men!
Liverpool’s teenage sub, Rio Ngumoha, runs onto a dummied cross with no mark and slams home.
The Reds take the points!
William Osula goal — Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
Back to goal, Dan Burn wins Nick Pope’s goal kick behind him and Osula pokes past a charging Alisson Becker.
How has this happened?
Fabian Schar injured prior to Liverpool subs
Ekitike and Wirtz are off for Conor Bradley and Federico Chiesa in the 80th minute as trainers tend to Fabian Schar following an arm to the head from a leaping Virgil van Dijk.
He’ll be replaced by debutant Malick Thiaw.
Joelinton injury cues three subs
The Brazilian will join Tonali on the injured list after a physical tackle.
The 76th minute sees Joelinton leaving the pitch with a heavy limp in favor of Jacob Ramsey.
Lewis Hall also makes his season debut, entering for Kieran Trippier, and William Osula is into the fray for Barnes.
Still 2-1 Liverpool against the 10-man Magpies in the 77th.
Newcastle sub
Tonali now leaves for Lewis Miley, as Newcastle have been dominating play with 10 men against the champs!
Bruno Guimaraes goal — Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Newcastle have a free kick from the left.
The first effort is blocked but Bruno Guimaraes bullies Milos Kerkez at the back post to head Tino Livramento’s second effort inside the goal.
Magpies down a man but now only one goal with over a half-hour to play at St. James’ Park.
Liverpool dodging drama
Konate charges down a rushing Magpies player and avoids a second yellow.
A few minutes later, Sandro Tonali needs his shoulder adjusted after Ekitike tosses him to the ground. He’ll play on while a replacement warms up.
This has been feisty, but the Reds have a 2-0 lead over the 10-men hosts with 35 minutes to play.
Hugo Ekitike goal — Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
One minute into the second half, the Reds go up two.
Cody Gakpo recovers his blocked shot and pokes it square to Hugo Ekitike, who swirls a side-footed shot home.
Halftime stats — Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
Well, a great 45 minutes seem unlikely to be matched in entertainment — at least if you’re a Newcastle fan.
Liverpool will get a half to pile up goals at St. James’ Park. The Reds lead 1-0.
Possession: Liverpool, 52%
Shot attempts: Newcastle, 6-2
Expected goals: Newcastle, 0.64-0.07
Newcastle red card!
A mindless challenge and the slow motion looks worse as Gordon comes in with great speed, misses the ball entirely, and rakes his studs down the calf and ankle of Van Dijk.
Anthony Gordon in trouble
The winger tries to get away with a sliding challenge into the leg of a ball-clearing Virgil van Dijk.
VAR is sending him to the monitor.
Dan Burn cautioned
The big man slides into the back of Mohamed Salah, and it’s a simple decision: Yellow.
Ryan Gravenberch goal — Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
Out of nothing, Liverpool lead.
Ryan Gravenberch takes a screened near-post shot from 19 yards and a rooted Nick Pope sees it ding off the iron and over the line.
1-0, 35'.
Another wasted Newcastle chance!
Sandro Tonali strips the ball from Konate at midfield and leads a 50-yard rush, but his square ball to Gordon is asking too much of the makeshift center forward.
The Magpies are in control and should be ahead but instead it’s 0-0 with Liverpool yet to find their first gear in the 33rd minute.
Close! x 2
Szoboszlai gives too much room to Harvey Barnes, whose cross is headed just over the frame by Anthony Gordon.
Now Elanga crosses from the right and Gordon’s sliding effort is quarter-powered under duress from Szoboszlai.
0-0, 29'.
Now Konate on yellow
Gordon turns Konate and the center back drags him down by the shirt collar. Easy yellow in the 26th.
Nearly another yellow
Hugo Ekitike makes a silly foul in the middle of the park and then kicks the ball away, coming close to joining Gravenberch in the referee’s book but getting away with an extended warning.
Pope denies Wirtz
It’s a corner kick for Liverpool after Nick Pope parries a cheeky idea from Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz’s corner doesn’t clear front-post marking Anthony Elanga.
Very scrappy start
As advertised we’ve seen some significant fouls, including a yellow-drawing tackle from Ryan Gravenberch.
Szoboszlai is at right back, not Jones.
Underway!
Here we go at a fired-up St. James’ Park.
Familiar Magpies meet some unfamiliar foes
Aside from Anthony Elanga, everyone in this Newcastle XI was with the team last season in the League Cup. Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey are on the bench, where Sven Botman, Jacob Murphy, and Lewis Hall are also amongst a strong group of subs.
Liverpool start Hugo Ekitike, who Newcastle chased this summer, as well as ex-Bournemouth back Milos Kerkez and, of course, PL record buy Florian Wirtz.
It’s too soon to tell who’s starting at right back with Jeremie Frimpong out and both Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley on the bench, but Curtis Jones seems like a good bet.
Newcastle lineup
Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Barnes, Elanga, Gordon
Liverpool lineup
Alisson, Kerkez, Konate, Van Dijk, Jones, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike
Newcastle vs Liverpool preview
Liverpool’s pursuit of Newcastle star Alexander Isak has strengthened the Swede’s resolve to leave the League Cup champions for the team that fell short at Wembley Stadium in last season’s final. The Premier League champions have out-spent all comers this summer but came up $54 million short of Newcastle’s asking price for Isak and have yet to return with an improved bid.
The Reds also purchased one of the Magpies’ preferred Isak replacements in Hugo Ekitike. The saga recalls Barcelona’s long wait to meet Liverpool’s asking price for Philippe Coutinho, and will make St. James’ Park a lively venue on Monday as the Magpies were already singing defiant songs regarding Isak away to Villa in a 0-0 Week 1 draw.
Liverpool wobbled at the back in their season-opening 4-2 win over Bournemouth at Anfield, but are still favorites to win in a venue which has proven challenging for visitors.
Newcastle United team news, focus
OUT: Alexander Isak (disciplinary - MORE), Joe Willock (calf)
Liverpool team news, focus
OUT: Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Conor Bradley (undisclosed)
Newcastle vs Liverpool prediction
The Magpies are loaded with talent but Liverpool are one of the few midfields that can hang with them. The difference will be the clinical nature of the finishers on each side, as the drop-off from Isak to whomever Eddie Howe deploys at center forward remains a canyon. Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool.
