Liverpool Maintained 100% Start to the New Campaign with Last-Gasp Win Over Newcastle

Liverpool Maintained 100% Start to the New Campaign with Last-Gasp Win Over Newcastle

Ngumoha’s Last-Minute Heroics Seal Liverpool’s 3–2 Win at Newcastle

Liverpool left St James’ Park on Monday night with their perfect start intact, but only after a stoppage-time twist that will be remembered for years.

• Slot Admits Relief After Ngumoha’s Dramatic Winner Keeps Liverpool Perfect.

Sixteen-year-old Rio Ngumoha, summoned from the bench, wrote his name into club folklore with the final kick of a ferocious contest, firing home to seal a dramatic 3–2 win over Newcastle and preserve the champions’ flawless opening to the season.

The night began in hostile fashion, the home crowd seething after the Reds’ long pursuit of Alexander Isak. Eddie Howe’s side carried that fire onto the pitch, hassling and harrying Liverpool into nervous mistakes.

Yet it was the visitors who struck first through Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch’s low strike, which found its way past goalkeeper Nick Pope, courtesy of a deflection that silenced the ground.

Anthony Gordon’s reckless lunge on Virgil van Dijk saw him dismissed after a VAR review.

Moments before the break, the tension snapped. Anthony Gordon’s reckless lunge on Virgil van Dijk saw him dismissed after a VAR review, tilting the contest heavily in Liverpool’s favour.

The punishment was compounded within seconds of the restart as Hugo Ekitike, the forward Newcastle had wanted for themselves, slotted in to make it 2–0. At that point, Arne Slot’s men looked set to coast home.

Instead, chaos unfolded. Newcastle, a man down but roared on by a raucous crowd, refused to crumble. Bruno Guimarães’ diving header hauled them back into contention, and the stadium erupted.

Liverpool, rattled and unconvincing, lost their composure. Their fragility was punished again when substitute William Osula bundled in a late equaliser, sparking delirium among the home support.

But as the clock ticked deep into added time, the story took an extraordinary turn. With the tension at fever pitch, Ngumoha found space in the box and showed astonishing calm for his age, stroking the ball beyond Pope to send the travelling fans into rapture.

In an instant, the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history had saved his side from embarrassment and secured another three points for Slot.

For Liverpool, the result was a mix of exhilaration and concern. Two games, two wins, yet twice surrendering control from winning positions. As for Newcastle, it was heartbreak, but the standing ovation at full-time reflected a recognition of their fight and spirit despite playing short-handed for an entire half.

Ngumoha’s strike dominates the headlines, and rightly so. But for Liverpool, the bigger question lingers: can they continue relying on late salvation if they are to defend their crown?