Newcastle United 2-3 Liverpool: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Rio Ngumoha wins five-goal Premier League thriller

Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool took all three points on Monday evening with a 3-2 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park, in what is sure to be one of the most hostile atmospheres of the season.

The Magpies had the better of the early exchanges, putting Arne Slot's side under intense pressure and capitalising on some sloppy passing in centre of the park to put together counterattacks.

However, it was the visitors who found a breakthrough when Ryan Gravenberch's deflected long-range strike found Nick Pope stranded against the run of play.

Things went from bad to worse for Eddie Howe's team when - perhaps inevitably - his side were reduced to 10 men following a reckless tackle from Anthony Gordon that left stud marks on Virgil van Dijk's calf.

Hugo Ekitike, who was the target of booing from the home crowd in the first period, then made it 2-0 with a strike so early after the restart that his manager was not on the touchline to see it.

The hosts then reverted into a more defensive setup but still found a way back into the contest through a Bruno Guimaraes header, and substitute striker William Osula levelled the score late on.

There was one more twist in the tale when 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha came on for Cody Gakpo in stoppage time, and found a dramatic 100th-minute winner for the Reds.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

The story around this match was dominated by Liverpool's pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, and the Magpies' frustrations certainly spilled over from online spaces into both the crowd and the pitch.

The hostility of the atmosphere initially benefitted Howe's side as they were driven by their supporters to be first to every challenge in the first half, but Gordon went too far and was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Van Dijk.

Joelinton also went off with an injury, while Sandro Tonali was seen nursing a sore shoulder, and having come into the match with vigour, they may have lost a number of key players for the weekend.

As for the Reds, they will be delighted to have taken the points and seem to have avoided any injuries on Monday evening, but Slot will be disappointed with the fact that his team threw away their two-goal lead.

It has been reported that the Liverpool manager was so impressed by Ngumoha in pre-season that he decided to not pursue an additional signing in his position, and the teenager announced himself to the world with an emphatic finish on his Premier League debut.

NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. LIVERPOOL HIGHLIGHTS

8th min: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) yellow card

After a series of unpunished fouls from Newcastle United, including a kick to Gakpo's head from Joelinton, Liverpool midfielder Gravenberch is the first player to pick up a yellow card.

Ryan Gravenberch goal vs. Newcastle United (35th min, Newcastle United 0-1 Liverpool)

Ryan Gravenberch punishes Newcastle for their missed chances with an absolute BEAUTY from range! ? pic.twitter.com/QbFH5SHNsG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025

Liverpool recover possession on the left wing after a poor Newcastle throw, and after some fine work from Curtis Jones, Gakpo plays the ball to Gravenberch.

The returning midfielder then cuts inside and fires a low, driven strike from 30 yards out into the bottom-left corner off the post, though Pope was wrong-footed by a deflection.

45+3 min: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United) red card

Anthony Gordon sees RED after VAR review, following a rash tackle on Virgil van Dijk ? pic.twitter.com/uJ4xDBrKAA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025

The latest in a series of reckless challenges sees Gordon fly in at speed on Liverpool captain Van Dijk, raking his studs down the centre-back's calf after he had released the ball.

Referee Simon Hooper initially gave a yellow card but upgraded it to a red following a VAR review.

Hugo Ekitike goal vs. Newcastle United (46th min, Newcastle United 0-2 Liverpool)

What a finish that is from Hugo Ekitike ? pic.twitter.com/KNg0UDysaB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025

The Reds make the most of their numerical advantage within seconds of kick off.

Ekitike dribbles forward from the halfway line before passing it out wide to Gakpo, who cuts inside and, after losing and regaining possession once more, pokes it back to the Frenchman, who fires a powerful side-footed shot in off the left post.

Bruno Guimaraes goal vs. Liverpool (57th min, Newcastle United 1-2 Liverpool)

Could there be a twist in the tale? ?

Down to ten, but Bruno Guimaraes pulls one back for the Magpies! pic.twitter.com/Hnv6bDFL7N
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025

Liverpool fail to deal with a long throw-in from the left wing, and Tino Livramento eventually picks out Guimaraes, who beats Milos Kerkez at the back post to head home.

William Osula goal vs. Liverpool (87th min, Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool)

What a moment for William Osula! ?

Newcastle equalise despite being down to 10! pic.twitter.com/cTqhtPPXlY
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025

A simple long free kick from Pope bounces off Ibrahima Konate's back, and Osula races past Gravenberch to slip the ball under Alisson Becker to level the score.

Rio Ngumoha goal vs. Newcastle United (100+10 mins, Newcastle United 2-3 Liverpool)

16-year-old Rio Ngumoha wins all three points at the death for Liverpool! ? pic.twitter.com/85jkiAfCrE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025

Mohamed Salah picks up the ball on the right wing in the closing moments and plays a low cross to Dominik Szoboszlai, who produces an intelligent feint to allow teenager Ngumoha to fire a composed first-time finish into the right-hand side of the net to win the game!

MAN OF THE MATCH - DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI

The Liverpool midfielder was tasked with playing at right-back for the majority of the match, and he was able to keep Harvey Barnes quiet before switching into his usual central role late on.

Szoboszlai then had the composure and wherewithal to let the ball run through his legs for Ngumoha's winner, an action that would be deserving of an assist.

NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS

Possession: Newcastle United 38%-62% Liverpool

Shots: Newcastle United 10-5 Liverpool

Shots on target: Newcastle United 3-4 Liverpool

Corners: Newcastle United 7-1 Liverpool

Fouls: Newcastle United 17-15 Liverpool

BEST STATS

Rio Ngumoha becomes the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League history.

◎ James Vaughan (16y 270d)
◎ James Milner (16y 356d)
◎ Wayne Rooney (16y 360d)
◉ Rio Ngumoha (16y 361d)

From the bench to the record books in minutes. ? pic.twitter.com/sv3G3lvAFG
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 25, 2025

Hugo Ekitike becomes the first Liverpool player to score in his first three appearances since Daniel Sturridge in 2013.

An instant impact. ? pic.twitter.com/tEJrt4v3bg
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 25, 2025