Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was proud of his side’s display despite a last-gasp 3-2 defeat to champions Liverpool on Monday night.
16-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha scored in the 100th minute on his league debut to win the match for the Reds after the Magpies had come back from a two-goal deficit earlier in the match.
Newcastle deployed Anthony Gordon as a makeshift striker with Alexander Isak out for a second match amid speculation surrounding his future at the club.
Newcastle dominated the early exchanges although it was the champions who took the lead with a brilliant effort from Ryan Gravenberch in the 35th minute.
Gordon was initially shown a yellow card when he caught Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk on the back of his calf with a reckless challenge, before VAR upgraded the booking to a straight red card in first half stoppage time.
“A bruising game for us with so many different emotions”, Howe revealed after the match.
“I’m really proud of the performance, really pleased with how we played, great energy, great intensity, really pleased with the following of the game plan and then adapting because we go to 10 men and for me we’re the better team in the second half as well as the first.
To come away with nothing and injuries and suspensions and concussions, it’s a pretty bad day”, he said.
Big-money signing Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead with his second goal in two games just 20 seconds after the restart, with Newcastle having a mountain to climb with a two-goal deficit and a man down.
However, Bruno Guimaraes pulled one back for the Magpies after beating Milos Kerkez to head home, before substitute Will Osula equalized in the 88th minute to spark celebrations from the home side.
In a twist of events, Arne Slot sent in teenager Ngumoha in the sixth minute of stoppage time and it proved to be a masterclass decision.
The teenager picked up the ball before netting the Reds’ third and the winner on the night just five minutes after coming on for his league debut.
“I thought there was no intent [in Gordon’s tackle]. People say it looks bad, I’ve not seen it again. I thought he was trying to pull out of the tackle in the end”, Howe stated when asked about the decision to send off Gordon.
“Anthony’s challenge is a red card and that doesn’t look good in that respect, but as I said I don’t think there was any intent from him.”
Newcastle United travel to Leeds United on Sunday in their next outing, while Liverpool play host to Arsenal in a Super Sunday clash.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
