A match that lived up to its pre-match hype, Liverpool went two-nil up but were outplayed by 10-men Newcastle and eventually threw away the lead to draw 2-2, only for teenager Rio Ngumoha to score a late, late winner from the bench!
Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
Premier League (2) | St James’ Park
August 25, 2025
Goals
Gravenberch 35′
Ekitike 46′ (assist: Gakpo)
Guimaraes 57′
Osula 88′
Ngumoha 90+10
Sent off: Gordon (45+3′)
Team news
Arne Slot made two changes from the 4-2 win over Bournemouth, both enforced as Jeremie Frimpong and Alexis Mac Allister missed the squad entirely.
In came Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch – the latter available again after suspension – with Dominik Szoboszlai shifting to right-back.
Alexander Isak was, unsurprisingly, not part of the Newcastle squad; the atmosphere in St James’ Park ferocious due to Liverpool’s ongoing pursuit of the striker.
Newcastle dominate first half but Reds ride storm
Fuelled by the fervent home crowd, Newcastle started on the front foot and enjoyed a 10-minute spell with 80% possession. Anthony Gordon headed over as Liverpool struggled to cope with Newcastle‘s intensity.
But it was the Reds who took the lead through an unlikely source after riding the storm for most of the half. Gravenberch‘s superbly drilled shot from 25 yards went in off the post for just his second ever Premier League goal.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Then came another major moment in the match, Gordon flying in on Virgil van Dijk in the closing stages of the half and eventually being dismissed after a VAR replay for serious foul play. Correct decision.
Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
Ekitike strikes but two-goal lead thrown away again
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ekitike superbly doubled the lead just 20 seconds into the second half. The French forward superbly held up the ball, then smartly finished from the edge of the box.
It should have been plain sailing from there, but Liverpool still struggled against the 10-men opposition and Newcastle got a goal back through Guimaraes before the hour, helped by some pretty poor defending by Kerkez.
Slot took off Wirtz and Ekitike, inviting more pressure, and then an extremely high line from a free-kick led to Newcastle getting an equaliser with two minutes to go.
Osula prodded the goal home but Liverpool’s decision to play such a high defensive line was highly questionable.
A second game throwing away a two-goal lead exposed the shortcomings early in the season.
With 11 minutes added time, Slot brought on 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha and the teenager got the boss out of jail with an incredible 100th-minute winner, superbly curling home a composed finish.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Despite the man advantage for half the game, Liverpool managed just four shots – the lowest in any game Slot has managed for the club.
Despite the win there are some big questions for the boss to answer, with Arsenal up next at Anfield on Sunday.
TIA Man of the Match: Dominik Szoboszlai
Referee: Simon Hooper
Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes; Elanga, Barnes, Gordon
Subs: Ramsdale, Botman, Thiaw, Hall, Willock, Miley, Ramsey, Murphy, Osula
Liverpool: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones (Elliott 90+6′); Salah, Wirtz (Bradley 80′), Gakpo (Ngumoha 90+6′); Ekitike (Chiesa 80′)
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Leoni, Robertson
Next match: Arsenal (H) – Premier League – Sunday, August 31, 4.30pm (BST)