Rio Ngumoha announced himself as a star in the making as the 16-year-old snatched a dramatic 3-2 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Tuesday (AEST).
Ngumoha came off the bench to stun Newcastle with a cool finish in the 10th minute of stoppage time after the 10-man hosts had bravely fought back from 2-0 down.
On debut, Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest goal scorer in the Premier League with the strike.
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Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s third goal. Getty
“Tonight they have taken three points from Newcastle in the most sensational fashion,” Daniel Mann said on Stan Sport’s coverage.
“Rio Ngumoha, a much talked about talent, has walked onto the Premier League stage for the very first time and produced a quite staggering moment to win a quite compelling contest.
“He’s not 17 till Friday, but he has stolen the show and what a show it was.”
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Indeed, Newcastle showed enormous resolve to fight back a man down and level the scores.
Liverpool were cruising at 2-0 up as new recruit Hugo Ekiteke continued his hot start to the season with a fine finish in the first minute of the second half.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon had been sent off just before halftime for what club legend Alan Shearer blasted as a “stupid challenge” on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Ryan Gravenberch, back from injury, had opened Liverpool’s account in the 35th minute.
But Newcastle didn’t fancy a meek surrender on this day.
Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes ignited the comeback with a 57th minute goal before Denmark’s William Osula equalised in the 88th minute.
London product Ngumoha then scored the decisive goal at 16 years and 361 days old.
That makes him the youngest ever player to score a Premier League winner – beating Wayne Rooney’s record by just one day.
Liverpool legend Michael Owen described Ngumoha’s finish as “quite incredible” on Stan Sport’s coverage.
Owen also scored on Premier League debut but he was a comparative veteran at 17 years and 143 days against Wimbledon.
“What a feeling for him. What a feeling to come on, to win the game for your team. Everything that you dream of, isn’t it? It’s come so early for him. I mean, forget his age, forget anything else like that, if you’re good enough then you’re old enough, but what a finish. I mean the pressure in the last few seconds of the game,” Owen said.
“Liverpool were so poor. Newcastle will be absolutely sick of not seeing that thing out.
“They were the best team, but when the ball fell to him he had plenty of time to think about it. To be fair, coming on your right foot, from that angle, everything was set up perfect, but it’s easier said than done. He racked it into that corner. What a finish.”
Defending champions Liverpool now sit third on the ladder, behind Arsenal and Tottenham on goal difference.
Liverpool will next host Arsenal in a mouth-watering contest between the two title favourites at Anfield on Monday (AEST).
Newcastle only have one point from their first two games.
Their star striker from last season, Alexander Isak, was again absent as an ugly transfer saga rumbles on.
The Sweden star wants to leave the club and Liverpool want to buy him.
“I’m not too sure it was a football match today. It was set-piece after set-piece, long throw after long throw. We didn’t collapse and stood strong. We didn’t play well enough on the ball. I don’t think there was so much open play,” Liverpool manager Slot said.
“It was a great goal for a 16-year-old. Rio can finish so well for his age.
“I did hear someone say afterwards in the dressing room he would have taken a first touch but he is so confident. For his age he is a really good finisher.”
