‘Better than Lamine Yamal’ – Liverpool fans all say the same about Rio Ngumoha after heroics vs Newcastle
Liverpool supporters are in disbelief at Rio Ngumoha after his goal earned the Reds a stunning 3-2 victory at Newcastle.
16-year-old Ngumoha fired home a dramatic winner in the 100th minute of the match after Newcastle had pegged Liverpool back from two goals down.
Anthony Gordon was sent off for a tackle on Virgil van Dijk, and Liverpool were ahead through a low Ryan Gravenberch strike before they went two-nil when Hugo Ekitike scored his third goal in as many matches for the club since his summer arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt.
A Bruno Guimaraes header and a William Osula finish brought the match back to 2-2 before Ngumoha won the match for the Liverpool, as Arne Slot’s men start the season with maximum points.
Rio Ngumoha proves to be impact sub
Ngumoha was introduced off the bench in the 96th minute, deep into added time when Liverpool looked to be settling for a point.
The winger though side footed home a curling strike past a hopeless Nick Pope with no Newcastle player near the young Liverpool star.
Mo Salah’s low cross had been dummied by Dominic Szoboszlai with Ngumoha at the back post able to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Supporters were praising Ngumoha for the moment on his first Premier League appearance, with one calling him an “unbelievable talent.”
Arne Slot substitution pays dividends
Ngumoha had impressed Liverpool fans during pre-season, and this campaign was seen as one which the 16-year-old could make his name in.
He certainly made a name for himself against Newcastle with a late goal which ensures Liverpool do not drop any early points in the title race.
The timing of the substitution implied that Arne Slot was bringing on Ngumoha to run down the clock, as despite going down to ten men Newcastle looked the more likely to snatch a late winner.
Instead Szoboszlai’s awareness and Ngumoha’s desire to break into the penalty area rewarded Liverpool with all three points.
| Appearances | 18 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 4 |
With such a cultured and calm finish in-front of goal in one of the last kicks of the match, Slot may be thinking about handing Ngumoha more chances to impress in future games.