Liverpool edged past Newcastle United in a five-goal thriller at an electric St James’ Park.
The reigning Premier League champions needed a 100th-minute winner to edge past 10-man Newcastle, who fought from two goals down in the second half.
Ryan Gravenberch gave the Reds the lead in the 35th minute before Anthony Gordon was shown a straight red card following a VAR check for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
But during 11 minutes of stoppage time, there was time for another huge twist as 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha inflicted a cruel blow on Howe’s men.
Arne Slot hails ‘unbelievable’ St James’ Park atmosphere
Reflecting on the win for his side, Slot made reference to the St James’ Park atmosphere: “How do you sum an evening like this up? It felt familiar to me; I think I have experienced a game like this once before since I'm here in England – that was Everton away last season. Where so many things happened, where it was complete chaos, where the fans were so loud and so there for the home team and our fans tried to help us as much as they could.
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere and for us to stay strong in that atmosphere for such a long time is worth more to me than when we play every single time out from the back and we have a four or five-nil win.
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“These wins, these 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 a great game to watch but not because of tactics or good football. But because for every single second of the game everybody was on the front of their seat.”
Virgil van Dijk comments on St James’ Park atmosphere
Meanwhile, van Dijk added: "We all know it's a difficult place to come. We know there was a lot of oil on the fire this week to get Newcastle fired up. What happened tonight was expected and, for us, the disappointing part was that we conceded two set pieces. That shouldn't happen but overall great three points, move on and focus on the next one.
"Free-kick, corner kicks the pressure gets on. They had the quality. If you look at the traditional top six here last season there was only a couple that beat them It's always a difficult place to come.
“I enjoy these type of atmospheres, so I was really looking forward to it but we could've made it easier if we don't give them those set pieces, then you give them the boost and the feeling and the drive with the fans behind them but we managed to get the three points and move on."
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