Rio Ngumoha’s 100th minute strike clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle United for champions Liverpool as they survived a remarkable fightback from Eddie Howe’s side at St James’ Park.
Liverpool’s visit to the north east in a rematch of the EFL Cup final they lost to the Magpies in March took place amid the backdrop of the Alexander Isak drama, with Newcastle’s star striker refusing to train or play for the club as he attempts to force through a move to the Reds.
That saga ensured a ferocious atmosphere on Tyneside, but Liverpool weathered a first-half storm and, after Ryan Gravenberch’s opener and Hugo Ekitike’s third goal in as many appearances, sandwiched by Gordon’s red card for a reckless foul on Virgil Van Dijk, an away victory appeared the only plausible outcome.
But Bruno Guimaraes’ header gave Newcastle hope and William Osula looked to have rescued a point when the substitute, the Magpies’ only recognised central striker in Isak’s self-imposed exile, levelled two minutes from the end of normal time.
Injuries to Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Fabian Schar ensured 11 minutes of injury time and, though Newcastle looked the more likely to score a winner for much of added time, 16-year-old Ngumoha produced a wondrous finish to a superb Liverpool move to secure maximum points at the end of another classic between two sides that have produced so many.
