Rio Ngumoha rewarded Arne Slot‘s faith in him with the winner in Monday’s 3-2 at Newcastle, but the head coach needs much more from his side moving forwards.
Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
Premier League (2) | St James’ Park
August 25, 2025
Goals: Guimaraes 57′, Osula 88′; Gravenberch 35′, Ekitike 46′, Ngumoha 90+10′
1. Two big wins, but Slot needs far more
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk look dejected after conceeding the equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
At a glance, Liverpool’s flawless record in the Premier League thus far might fool you into believing that their title defence has started in serene fashion.
But Arne Slot will know that, in giving up 20 shots, 2.63 xG and six big chances en route to six points, his team have shown major frailties.
Of course, you could argue this start to the season was never going to be straightforward given the fixture list and the fact that teams only start to find rhythm around October.
And so you have to simply grind out the wins before then, which Liverpool have proven themselves to be experts at across the first two games.
But the fact is, a similar performance won’t be anywhere near enough against Arsenal, and Slot has some big issues to fix.
2. Liverpool have a physicality problem
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo is surrounded by Newcastle United's Fabian Schär, Sandro Tonali, Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimarães during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
One major cause for concern for Slot is the fact that Liverpool were so easily overpowered at times – not least because that is a long-term issue.
As had been the case in the Carabao Cup final, it was the hosts who won the majority of the battles when the teams were even in terms of personnel, as supported by them coming out on top in 20 ground duels (56%) to the Reds’ 16 (44%) in the first half.
And they subsequently found their way back into the game simply by punting balls into the Liverpool box, creating chaos through heir superior strength.
We thought this might be a lesson learned from that disappointment at Wembley last season, or the similar man-to-man issues suffered against Paris Saint-Germain.
Yet there is an argument that the Reds have actually weakened their team in terms of height and strength this summer, rather than enhanced it.
There isn’t long for that to be truly addressed in this window, and links to the diminutive Marc Guehi – as good as he is – hardly fill you with confidence.
3. Wirtz may take time to settle
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz is being chased by Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
When getting excited about new signings from abroad, it is far too easy to forget that the Premier League is considered the best in the world for one reason: its intensity.
And that can be difficult for some players to adapt to initially (or, for a few, at all) as we seem to be seeing for Florian Wirtz so far.
Here, the German followed up a quiet performance against Bournemouth by genuinely struggling, winning three oof his 10 duels, taking just one shot and failing to create any chances.
In fairness to Wirtz, there aren’t many challenges like a fired-up Newcastle, who boast one of the most physically imposing teams in world football and a fantastic atmosphere at St James’ Park.
Perhaps he will be one of those players who takes a little more time to get up to speed, even if his quality has been obvious enough in moments.
4. Hugo Ekitike is the real deal
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)
Of course, for every player that does not immediately find things easy in the Premier League, there is another who takes to it like a duck to water.
And with three goals in his three appearances for Liverpool, Hugo Ekitike definitely appears to fall into the latter camp.
In scoring against Newcastle, the Frenchman became just the 10th player to net in his first three outings for the club, and just the second to do so in the last 50 years after Daniel Sturridge.
He also battled impressively to turn long balls into something useful despite Newcastle‘s best efforts to bully him out of the game.
Liverpool look like they have picked another smart signing out, and the boos from the home faithful suggest they are slightly jealous of that fact.
5. His name is Rio…
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's debut goalscorer Rio Ngumoha and head coach Arne Slot celebrating during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If anyone doubted that Slot sees Rio Ngumoha as a genuine option this season, then his introduction into such a difficult situation surely said something.
That he then followed it up by becoming the match-winner and Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 16 years and 361 days says everything about this kid’s potential.
The coaching staff are said to have been blown away by Ngumoha’s performances in training in pre-season and expedited his introduction to the first team as a result.
As such, we can expect many more moments like tonight, not just as he ages but in the immediate term too.