Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted his side were “lucky” to snatch victory over 10-man Newcastle United in a dramatic 3-2 win at St James’ Park on Monday night, Afrosport reports.
The Reds sealed all three points in a Premier League thriller thanks to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who struck the decisive goal in the 100th minute, just four minutes after coming off the bench.
Slot hailed the teenager’s impact but conceded his side were fortunate to come away with the win in such a tense contest in Tyneside.
“They were so close to scoring [to make it] 3-2, but we stood strong,” the Dutchman said. “Virgil [van Dijk], Ali [Alisson], and Ibu [Ibrahima Konate] helped us a lot in those moments. And then, at least after four or five minutes we got the ball in a neutral position, I think we had a free-kick, and I could bring both Rio and Harvey [Elliott] on.
“It’s of course special for him [Ngumoha] to score a goal in a moment like this. We know how it feels. Last season, we conceded late to draw 3-3… I think in [the] 89th minute. And now we were the lucky ones, because that’s what we were. We were lucky to get a win over the line over here.”
Newcastle were the better side for much of the game and Slot emphasised the significance of grinding out results in difficult atmospheres. The 46-year-old stressed that resilience meant more to him than playing attractive football.
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere, and for us to stay strong in it for such a long time is worth more to me than when we have a 4-0 or 5-0 win,” he explained.
“These [types of] wins 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 just a great game to watch because every single second of the game, everybody was on the edge of their seats.”
Liverpool initially went ahead through Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, either side of Anthony Gordon’s red card. However, Newcastle fought back, with Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula levelling the match before Ngumoha’s late intervention.
Slot praised Eddie Howe’s side for their intensity and direct approach, which disrupted Liverpool’s rhythm. When asked if he expected the players to have more control of the game in the second half with a two-goal lead and a one-man advantage, he said: “No… Not at all. Because that’s what their playing style brought.”
“You cannot control a game of football if every single ball is thrown into your 18-yard box, every throw-in is a long throw and every free kick they get is a long ball,” he continued.
“And they can do both; that’s why this is such a good team. They can play out from the back if they want to, they can be intense in their pressing. They have so many quality players, but they also have the quality to play a game like this, with so many big players.”
The victory gives Liverpool back-to-back wins at the start of the Premier League season. They now face another stern test when Arsenal visit Anfield on Sunday.
