Debutant Rio Ngumoha was Liverpool’s stoppage-time hero as The Reds overcame 10-man Newcastle United 3-2 in a thriller at St James’ Park.
Having seen Anthony Gordon sent off for a lunge on Virgil van Dijk on the stroke of half-time, Newcastle fell 2-0 down in the opening minute of the second half, when one of their previous transfer targets – Hugo Ekitike – slotted in his third goal in as many games for The Reds.
A match with the subplot of the Alexander Isak transfer saga had largely been in Newcastle’s favour prior to a goal against the run of play from Ryan Gravenberch, who struck from distance in the 35th minute.
Yet despite their numerical disadvantage, Newcastle thought they had battled back to secure a point when substitute William Osula prodded home in the 88th minute, after Bruno Guimaraes had dragged The Magpies back into the contest.
It was a Liverpool substitute who had the final say, though, with 16-year-old Ngumoha bending in his first top-flight goal to seal an extraordinary victory for the Premier League champions.
