Liverpool’s last-gasp victory at Newcastle brought with it plenty of talking points, not least the positives and the areas to improve.
For the second consecutive Premier League game, Liverpool surrendered a 2-0 lead and were left to conjure up a thrilling finish to take all three points.
Federico Chiesa was the catalyst in week one, and at St James’ Park it was 16-year-old Rio Ngummoha’s turn in the spotlight.
With it still so early in the season, Liverpool’s 3-2 win was another opportunity to discover more about Arne Slot‘s new-look side, and we were not short on positives or negatives…
Rio Ngumoha was the hero on another dramatic night in Newcastle (Owen Humphreys/PA)
1. Rio has incredible composure at 16
You could forgive a 16-year-old for being overawed by the occasion and the chance, but he tucked away his shot with poise that you would expect from a seasoned professional.
That Arne Slot said post-match, “I did hear someone say afterwards in the dressing room he would have taken a first touch,” speaks volumes of the finish.
Confidence is not in short supply!
2. Allowing teams back into the match is a worry
For the second week running, Liverpool have given up a 2-0 goal lead and have been left to conjure the energy to halt the opposition’s momentum while conspiring to find their own.
It is not sustainable, even if thrilling for us watching on, and Slot needs to rediscover the game management skills that made clean sheets possible.
The Northern Irishman’s injury record is worrisome, but his return off the bench was a welcome sight with Jeremie Frimpong to be sidelined until after the September international break.
He was understandably rough around the edges having not played since the tour of Asia, but he needed that cameo if he is to be in contention to start against Arsenal.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot speaking to Hugo Ekitike following his team conceeding Newcastle United's first goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
4. Slot’s strange subs
There is an acceptance that Hugo Ekitike is building his match fitness and is getting closer to completing 90 minutes, but Liverpool dropped off significantly when he was taken off after 80 minutes.
There was no longer an obvious out-ball option, and Liverpool dropped deeper into their own half, inviting Newcastle to play direct and to their strengths.
Slot’s options off the bench we will get to later, but the timing and selection continues to bemuse.
5. Szoboszlai underlined his worth to the side
Playing at right-back, it was one of those nights that the stats did not accurately portray the influence of the Hungarian, who worked tirelessly throughout.
And the more we can speak about that dummy for Rio, the better. He won’t get the assist, but we all know he helped make the moment happen. He’s a player you can’t leave out of the side.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates after scoring the first goal with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Whether it be that his head has turned towards Real Madrid or not, Konate has struggled to assert himself so far this season, no longer winning the battles that are his bread and butter when on form.
He has had a rotating door of right-backs thus far, but he is not building a convincing case not to be ousted if Liverpool do bolster their centre-back ranks further this summer.
7. The attacking void
In the time between the 47th minute and Ngumoha’s winner, Liverpool created an xG of 0.00 and conceded twice against 10 men despite having the majority of possession.
The Reds scored when it mattered, but Newcastle made sure the game was played on their terms and the never-ending stoppages played into their hands.
8. Investment is still needed before transfer deadline
For all of the statement signings Liverpool have made, there is still an obvious shortage of game changers – and that feels like it won’t change even if Alexander Isak is signed.
Slot had five defensive players (including a goalkeeper) on his bench and only two forwards. Thankfully, Ngumoha could win the game off his boot, but it’s not an encouraging list for the long term.
With only Alexis Mac Allister, Kostas Tsimikas and Frimpong left out of the squad, there remains missing pieces of the puzzle.
Liverpool’s bench: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Leoni, Bradley, Robertson, Endo, Elliott, Ngumoha, Chiesa
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk was challenged 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)
9. Virgil remains a level above the rest
Virgil van Dijk was imperious again, even after he had Anthony Gordon’s stud marks raked down his calf.
He made a game-high 13 clearances, of which 10 were headed clear, and thrived in an atmosphere that others would shirk under. At 34, he remains as vital as the day he was signed.
10. Conceding two from set pieces
“It was set-piece after set-piece, long throw,” Slot surmised after the match, with Newcastle going the direct route after losing a man.
Liverpool did not cope, though, with the line higher than normal for their equaliser while their first came from a throw-in situation – both were preventable and Arsenal now know there is a weakness to exploit.
Milos Kerkez was at fault for Newcastle‘s opener, seeking body contact with Bruno Guimaraes rather than standing tall and challenging for the ball himself.
Like Andy Robertson before him, he needs time to adapt and settle into the team, and it would not be a surprise to see Slot start to turn to his veteran left-back.
He will be a valuable player for Liverpool, but he has work to do.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Newcastle United's captain Bruno Guimarães beats Milos Kerkez in the air to score his team's first goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
12. Ekitike is the natural finisher we’ve craved
Three games, three goals and all came with a clinical finish.
It’s what Liverpool have been crying out for and you can only hope that any pursuit of Isak only elevates what he has to offer moving forward because what we’ve seen so far is incredibly promising.
Having missed the Community Shield and the opening game of the season, there was every chance the Dutchman was going to be rusty, but he settled back into the side with few hitches.
His goal was superbly taken and his positional sense an asset against Newcastle‘s physical midfield. He keeps the side ticking, and his presence was heightened in the absence of Mac Allister.
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)
14. Mac Allister absence felt
The stats will paint a picture of Curtis Jones having a tidy evening, but Liverpool missed the dogged nature of Mac Allister and how he complements Gravenberch in the middle.
The Argentine helps set the tempo, too often Liverpool rushed their possession, and he adds the bite to their play. You can only hope his fitness issue clears up for Arsenal‘s visit…
15. Lucky to get away with no injuries
It was Newcastle with the ‘get into them’ call leading into the match, which brought with it concerns of injuries for one or more of our players – which Van Dijk was lucky to escape.
They are instead counting their casualties in the aftermath and Slot can be thankful it is not the other way around – referee Simon Hooper certainly didn’t help matters!
16. Getting the wins, even when not at their best
Liverpool’s weaknesses would be under a more intense spotlight if it were not for the fact they won their first two games, and now they have the points and key lessons to learn from.
That Slot’s side can still get the results while still finding their feet as a new-look outfit bodes well, but Arsenal will be another timely test before the international break.