16-year-old Rio Ngumoha announced himself on the biggest stage on Monday night, scoring a later winner as Liverpool edged 10-man Newcastle United in a Premier League thriller at St James’ Park, Afrosport reports.
Ngumoha, who is of Nigerian heritage, found the back of the net in the 100th minute to become Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Premier League.
You just witnessed Premier League heritage. pic.twitter.com/1B5KKQ0mjj
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 25, 2025
The match was full of drama, with emotions running high as both clubs had been locked in transfer battles all summer. Liverpool managed to prise Hugo Ekitike away from Newcastle, while also expressing strong interest in bringing Alexander Isak to Merseyside.
The Reds created the first major chance when Florian Wirtz forced Nick Pope into a sharp save, before taking the lead in the 35th minute. Ryan Gravenberch’s low strike from distance took a slight deflection off Fabian Schar, wrong-footing the Newcastle goalkeeper.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when Anthony Gordon was shown a red card following a VAR review for a foul on Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool made the perfect start to the second half, doubling their advantage inside the opening minute through Ekitike. The French striker found the bottom corner from the edge of the box to mark his third goal in as many games.
Newcastle pulled one back in the 56th minute as captain Bruno Guimaraes headed in Tino Livramento’s cross at the back post. Then, with two minutes left on the clock, substitute William Osula — also of Nigerian heritage — levelled the match with a brave finish.
The Magpies pushed for a winner with wave after wave of late attacks, but Arne Slot introduced Ngumoha and Harvey Elliott to steady the tempo. That decision paid off, as the teenager produced a composed finish from Mohamed Salah’s low cross deep into stoppage time, silencing the crowd inside St James’ Park.
He also became the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in a Premier League game, after Wayne Rooney scored the winner for Everton against Arsenal in October 2002.
Liverpool left Tyneside with all three points, maintaining their perfect start to the season and climbing to third place ahead of Sunday’s clash with leaders Arsenal at Anfield.
For Newcastle, it was another bitter blow — not only from defeat but also with injuries to Joelinton and Sandro Tonali. Eddie Howe’s men remain winless, sitting 15th in the table ahead of their trip to newly promoted Leeds United.
