Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised the team’s display of immense character in a thrilling 3-2 win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, with teenager Rio Ngumoha stealing the headlines.
The 16-year-old became the Reds’ youngest scorer in history, netting the decisive goal deep into stoppage time to seal all three points for the Premier League champions.
Ryan Gravenberch broke the deadlock in the 35th minute before Newcastle were reduced to ten men when Anthony Gordon saw red just before half-time. Seconds after the restart, Hugo Ekitike doubled the visitors’ lead.
However, the home side responded with real fight. Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula struck in the second half to pull Newcastle level, setting up a tense finale.
Ngumoha then stepped up with a composed finish in the 100th minute, etching his name into Liverpool history.
“It felt familiar to me; I think I have experienced a game like this once before since I’m here in England – that was Everton away last season. Where so many things happened, where it was complete chaos, where the fans were so loud and so there for the home team and our fans tried to help us as much as they could,” Slot said after the match.
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere and for us to stay strong in that atmosphere for such a long time is worth more to me than when we play every single time out from the back and we have a four or five-nil win. These wins, these mean more to me than when we play good football because tonight had, for me, nothing to do with tactics or good football.
“It was a great game to watch but not because of tactics or good football. But because for every single second of the game everybody was on the front of their seat.”
Liverpool’s title defence now feels even stronger, with Ngumoha’s breakthrough moment adding a special chapter to their season.
The Anfield heavyweights will hope to replicate this mental resilience as they play host to Arsenal on their turf on Sunday.
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