NIGERIA and Liverpool’s 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha made history as the youngest scorer in the club’s history when he struck with virtually the last kick of a breathless encounter to snatch victory against Newcastle United at a stunned St James’ Park.
The atmosphere was red hot, feelings running high after the Reds’ lengthy pursuit of the home side’s rebel striker Alexander Isak.
And it got the drama it deserved as Newcastle rose off the canvas to rattle the Premier League champions, pulling back to 2-2 after being 2-0 down and despite having Anthony Gordon sent off in first-half stoppage time.
Eddie Howe’s men had mounted a frantic early surge on Liverpool’s goal but were hit by a sucker punch 10 minutes before the break when Ryan Gravenberch’s low shot beat Nick Pope, helped by a slight deflection off Fabian Schar.
A feisty encounter was constantly played on the edge and it boiled over in first-half stoppage time when Gordon, playing up front, was shown a red card by referee Simon Hooper for a rash late challenge on Virgil van Dijk – the decision confirmed after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.
Liverpool stunned the hosts again by doubling their advantage within 30 seconds of the restart when Hugo Ekitike, the striker who snubbed the Magpies to move to Anfield instead, scored with a low, placed right-foot finish.
But, despite being a man down, Newcastle rallied and captain Bruno Guimaraes gave them hope with a diving header at the far post after 57 minutes.
With Liverpool losing their composure under pressure, substitute Will Osula got in ahead of Gravenberch to bundle in the equaliser past Alisson after 88 minutes.
Liverpool looked to have thrown away a victory that looked certain at the start of the second half until substitute Ngumoha, at 16 years and 361 days, provided a sensational climax when left unmarked to fire home in the 10th of 11 added minutes.
His winner also made him the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League history, behind James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney.
Slot will take the victory, but he will have real worries about his side’s defensive frailties.
