Ngumoha, 16 years old, dream debut: Liverpool defeats Newcastle with a last-minute goal

Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk called Rio Ngumoha’s Premier League debut a “dream debut”, following the young player’s agonizing winning goal against Newcastle United. Ngumoha, 16, came off the bench and scored in stoppage time in Monday’s match at St. James’ Park, giving the champions a 3-2 victory after ten-man Newcastle came back from 2-0 down.

It’s a dream debut for him. It was a perfect technique. We stayed calm until the end and tried to find the right solution to score a goal, and we did. I’m very happy for Rio.

Virgil van Dijk

With his goal at the last gasp, Ngumoha, who will turn 17 on Friday, became the fourth youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, only behind James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney. His goal, which came in the 10th minute of added time in the second half, also ranked fourth among the latest goals scored in the competition.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot also praised the young footballer’s performance.

It was a great goal for a 16-year-old player. He had a great opportunity. He has a lot of ability to finish at his age. The firmness of his shot is something you don’t see often.

Arne Slot

The coach added that Ngumoha is a very confident player and that his goal was not a coincidence, as he is a great finisher for his age. Liverpool, despite goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, which were scored before and after Anthony Gordon’s expulsion, did not have control of the match for long periods.

The match was played in a very intense atmosphere, partly due to Liverpool’s failed attempt to sign Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

Obviously, we all know it’s a difficult place to come, we all know there was a lot of fuel on the fire this week to, especially, ignite Newcastle.

Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk also commented that they were disappointed to concede two goals from set pieces, which, according to him, shouldn’t happen. Despite this, he considered that they were three important points and that they are now focused on the next match.

Slot, for his part, felt that Newcastle’s approach made things difficult for the visitors. The coach stated that he wasn’t sure if he had seen a football match today, as there were many set-piece plays. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe lamented his team’s defeat.

It was a tough match for us. There are many different emotions, but I am very proud of the performance, very happy with how we played: with great energy, great intensity.

Eddie Howe

Howe also expressed his satisfaction with how the game plan was executed and they adapted, since, despite playing with ten men, they were the better team in the second half.