Liverpool’s 16-year-old forward Rio Ngumoha etched his name into the record books on Monday night, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history with a last-gasp winner in a breathless 3-2 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The teenager struck in the 100th minute, coolly firing home after being left unmarked, to break Geordie hearts and ensure the Premier League champions maintained their perfect start to the season.
At 16 years and 361 days, Ngumoha is also the fourth-youngest scorer in Premier League history, behind James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney.
The drama came after an evening brimming with incident, Newcastle, spurred on by a red-hot atmosphere and the backdrop of Liverpool’s summer pursuit of Alexander Isak, pushed the Reds hard despite playing with 10 men for over half the match.
A fiery contest
Eddie Howe’s side made a ferocious start but fell behind after 35 minutes when Ryan Gravenberch’s shot deflected past Nick Pope.
Matters worsened for the hosts in first-half stoppage time as Anthony Gordon, deployed in a central role, saw red for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk following a VAR review.
Liverpool seemed in control when Hugo Ekitike — who rejected Newcastle in favour of Anfield this summer — doubled the lead within seconds of the restart, making it 3 goals in 3 competitive games for Liverpool, but Newcastle, roared on by a raucous St James’ Park, mounted a stirring fightback.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes gave them hope with a diving header before substitute Will Osula bundled in a dramatic equaliser two minutes from time.
The Dane, rarely trusted to start up front, looked to have secured a famous point — until Ngumoha’s late intervention silenced the stadium.
Newcastle: Pride and pain
For Howe’s men, it was heartbreak at the death but not without pride; the 10 men fought ferociously, losing Sandro Tonali and Joelinton to injury along the way, and were applauded off by a standing ovation.
Yet the lack of a fit, reliable striker was once again exposed, with Isak’s future uncertain, Gordon suspended for three matches and Callum Wilson leaving for West Ham, Newcastle remain desperate for attacking reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool: Joy mixed with concern
For Liverpool boss Arne Slot, Ngumoha’s winner provided ecstasy at the end of a nervy night, the Reds claimed a second successive victory in defence of their crown, but for the second time in as many games they squandered a two-goal cushion.
Slot will be delighted by Ekitike’s continued scoring form and Ngumoha’s breakthrough moment, but defensive lapses and a loss of composure under pressure remain troubling signs for a side that looked so assured on their way to last season’s title.
In the end, though, the headlines belonged to Ngumoha — a teenager who delivered a moment of history under the St James’ Park floodlights.