Rio Ngumoha broke Newcastle United hearts with a stoppage-time winner for Liverpool
Rio Ngumoha celebrates scoring Liverpool’s winner against Newcastle United(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha was Liverpool’s hero as the teenager scored a dramatic winning goal on his Premier League debut. The 16-year-old came off the bench to score deep into stoppage time against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Arne Slot’s side had raced into a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike. And even though they were down to 10-men after Anthony Gordon was sent off in first-half stoppage time, the Magpies drew themselves level when Bruno Guimaraes and Will Osula struck.
But Ngumoha finished past Nick Pope in the ninth minute of stoppage time to secure his side a 3-2 win.
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And Jeremie Frimpong, who was forced to miss the trip to the North East because of a hamstring injury sustained during the Premier League opener against Bournemouth, took to social media in the immediate aftermath to share his reaction.
“Rio! Rio! Haha!” Frimpong chanted in a video posted to his Instagram stories just minutes after the goal. The Dutchman continued: “What the f… Maybe not swear!
“My G, that’s sick, what a finish. Heavy. Celebrate, celebrate. Yes, yes. My G.”
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Speaking on Sky Sports afterwards, Slot said: “He has shown it (talent) already few times. What I like maybe most from our players is after the 2-2 we had to defend five corners, three throw-ins and two free-kicks – I don’t know how many exactly.
“That wasn’t the moment to bring Rio and Harvey [Elliott] in because the both of them are not so tall. But, I did feel because it was 2-2 to bring two players in who can do something special in the moment. It’s always nice he can score a goal.
“It was a big chance and a player that can finish really well for his age. How firm his shot was, you don’t see this often for a 16-year-old.
“I heard someone say in the dressing room – I’m not going to say who it was – that they would have probably have a first touch then finish it off.
“He’s so confident, that’s what I like. Immediately when he came on he took someone on and for his age he’s an amazing finisher as well.”