Rio Ngumoha had 'dream debut' as he becomes Liverpool's youngest goalscorer with winner at Newcastle United in Premier League thriller
Updated 26/08/2025 at 00:01 GMT+1
Rio Ngumoha scored the most dramatic of winners in the 100th minute as Liverpool beat Newcastle United 3-2 in the Premier League on Monday night. The 16-year-old became the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool's history. Their captain Virgil van Dijk hailed a "dream debut" for the youngster, as Arne Slot's champions made it two wins from two league games this season.
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Rio Ngumoha had a "dream debut" as he became Liverpool's youngest goalscorer with a dramatic 100th-minute winner at Newcastle United, as Reds boss Arne Slot said the teenager "is not afraid to play."
Ngumoha, who is a few days short of his 17th birthday, had the final say on a night of pure theatre in the North East.
Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike put Liverpool 2-0 up, either side of Newcastle's Anthony Gordon being sent off.
But to their credit, Eddie Howe's team fought back. Bruno Guimaraes gave them hope, before a late leveller from Will Osula looked to have rescued a point.
But deep into stoppage time, Ngumoha - on his league debut - finished with great composure to give Slot's team victory.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports: "It's a dream debut for him. I think that whole attack was quite good. It was a perfect attack. We stayed calm at the end to find the right solution to score the goal.
"I'm very pleased for Rio. I've said it to him already it all starts now, he has to keep working hard and stay humble but definitely [you] have to enjoy this because these nights, you can't take them for granted if you're in his position.
"I'm sure with the players we have he will be back in training and having a hard session tomorrow again."
Slot praised the quality of the teenager's strike, saying: "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.
"He is not afraid to play. It's a great finish, great attack from the whole team."
At 16 years and 361 days, Ngumoha is the youngest goalscorer for Liverpool, beating Ben Woodburn, who was aged 17 years and 45 days old when he scored against Leeds Unitedin 2016.
Gordon 'wanted to help too much', says Guimaraes
Gordon's sending off late in the first half undermined Newcastle's hopes on the night.
He was dismissed for a rash challenge on Van Dijk. Speaking after the game, home captain Guimaraes suggested the challenge was down to being overly excited.
"I think he wanted to help too much," Guimaraes said. "I think sometimes you are so excited to play you make some mistakes.
"It's happened to me. We always try to give our best. There is a lot of noise outside that we cannot control."
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Newcastle have one point from their two league matches, but manager Eddie Howe was pleased with the performance.
Speaking to the BBC, Howe said: "I think great performance from the players, both first and second half in very different ways.
"First half we thought we dominated the game. We were in a great place with just the goal missing.
"Second half we had a mountain to climb at 2-0 down with 10 men but I thought we controlled the game.
"I thought we were really good and fought our way back unbelievably well, but couldn't get over the line to get a point."
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