Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was keen to praise one of his players despite falling to a late defeat to Liverpool on Monday night.
The clash at St James’ Park was built up like two gladiators fighting in a colosseum. There was so much promise going into the game, and both sides lived up to it.
However, Newcastle United will ultimately be disappointed that they were unable to earn a point in the circumstances. The Magpies were reduced to 10 men after Anthony Gordon’s horror challenge on Virgil van Dijk just before half-time, and they quickly found themselves two goals down just a minute into the second period.
Newcastle completed a magnificent comeback through goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula, only for 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha to fire in on 100 minutes.
Gordon’s red card means Osula will likely start at striker in Newcastle’s next three games, which fans will be fine with after his goal. As Osula prepares to step up to the task, Eddie Howe has dropped his verdict on how he honestly thought the young forward played.
William Osula celebrates after scoring in a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Eddie Howe praises William Osula after scoring against Liverpool
Osula has been patiently waiting for his time to shine at Newcastle, and he finally got it by scoring against the defending Premier League champions. It is only his second Premier League goal for the Magpies since joining for a £10m fee in 2024, though he has impressed on other occasions.
Newcastle are looking to sign a striker before the transfer window closes, but for now, Howe will have to make do with Osula.
Howe opted to play Osula during pre-season, although he did not have much of a choice, as Alexander Isak refused to play for Newcastle.
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Osula’s goal will no doubt give him confidence to find the target again going forward, and Howe thinks there is a lot more to come from the 22-year-old.
“Really pleased. It’s a great finish,” he said in his post-match press conference.
“I thought he did well when he came on – he looked lively, strong and quick. It could have been a big moment for us – a point here would have been incredible from the players – but he can be very pleased with himself.”
William Osula cannot leave Newcastle United on loan after Liverpool loss
With Gordon missing Newcastle’s next three matches, it is clear that Newcastle need as many bodies as they can get, especially with Champions League football on the horizon.
There were rumours that Osula was attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen and other Bundesliga sides, but it appears clear now that Howe will not allow the Dane to leave Newcastle by any means before the window shuts on 1 September.
Newcastle hope Isak will return to training this week, providing them with the other striker they are so desperately seeking. However, the 25-year-old is still nowhere to be seen, having trained away from the first team almost all summer.
The goal on Monday night proved that Osula has the capabilities of becoming a starter on Tyneside, but he has to deliver against Leeds United on Saturday to keep morale high.
Even though Newcastle lost against Liverpool, there is a lot to be happy about.