Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted he was unsure if he had witnessed a “genuine football match” after his side’s dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Sixteen-year-old forward Rio Ngumoha scored a 100th-minute winner to secure the points in a chaotic contest that saw 32 fouls, a red card, and lengthy stoppages.
According to Opta, the ball was in play for just 40.8 per cent of the match — the lowest figure recorded in a Premier League game since February 2010 2010 (40% in Stoke 3-0 Blackburn). Stoppages.
Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead, but Newcastle, despite being reduced to 10 men following Anthony Gordon’s reckless first-half challenge on Virgil van Dijk, clawed their way back into the game.
The Magpies’ resilience set up a tense finale before Ngumoha’s late strike silenced the home crowd.
The match unfolded amid the backdrop of striker Alexander Isak’s reported desire to leave Newcastle for Liverpool, which added to the hostility in the stands.
Slot, reflecting on the chaotic nature of the game, said:
“It was a very difficult first half hour, 45 minutes. We didn’t collapse at all and went 1-0 up. Newcastle going down to 10 men, you would expect it to be a big plus for us, but when a goalkeeper takes every free-kick, there is not much benefit in having one extra player. That’s why it was so difficult to bring the 2-0 over the line.”
Liverpool’s victory keeps them in touch with the early pacesetters in the Premier League, while Newcastle are left ruing indiscipline and missed opportunities.