Liverpool

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Don't get me wrong, Liverpool have problems. They've conceded two goals in all three games this season. The defence looks horrible bar Virgil van Dijk - and there is nothing off the bench. We need more attackers and more defenders.

But I don't want to focus on that. Rio Ngumoha announced himself to the world with a winner 10 minutes into injury time and it feels like that is more significant. The kid is 16-years-old for a few more days and now Liverpool's youngest ever scorer.

He wowed in pre-season, but had not been used competitively yet this term until Monday night.

As a result, it was a surprise when Arne Slot gave him five minutes away to Newcastle when Liverpool were getting battered by set-pieces by a team who looked far more physically accomplished.

But Ngumoha immediately got on the ball and took on his man, almost winning a corner. His next moment was a nice touch in midfield where he fizzed the ball into a central area.

Then, his winner. What a finish. The ball was bobbling and there was nobody around him, which actually increased the pressure of the moment. He curled the ball into the far corner with aplomb. It was a goal of real precision and composure. A sublime cameo.

Liverpool now have to buy Alexander Isak, or an alternative. Ngumoha is the real deal. Arsenal have Max Dowman, Liverpool have this lad. And he has now announced himself to the world.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

We asked for your views on Liverpool's dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Mark: It's not about a performance. The end result is all that matters... Sign of champions to play that badly and still take three points.

Eugene: Liverpool again looked vulnerable in defence. Not going to retain the league title playing like this. Lack firepower up front. Need Isak and Guehi. Without them both, top four at best.

Hemanth: Champions doing what champions do, in a cauldron! That said, defence was poor - Konate especially so. Wirtz positioning still needs fixing and Kerkez is raw. Ngumoha and Ekitike are brilliant finds. Szoboszlai was a revelation defending and he gave his all. Have to find a way to play Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Wirtz and Szoboszlai together.

Ken: Once the dust settles on a remarkable moment for Rio Ngumoha, this was yet another performance which shows that, aside from replacing the talent to have left the squad, Liverpool need to learn how to contest and then win their individual duels. Apart from Virgil and maybe Gravenberch on occasions, the others were bullied. I would restore Robertson to the starting XI and allow Kerkez time to bed in, similar to what Robertson had to do when he first arrived. Lots of work to be done.

Newcastle fans

Simon: The Liverpool third goal was sickening as it came completely against the run of play. Gordon was playing well, but his action leading to his red card was really poor. Aside from that, Newcastle were really strong - the pressing, speed and winning the ball were all excellent. Pleased Osula came on and scored - he deserves more game time. A strong performances across the team, Bruno was excellent, as was Dan Burn. Overall this performance gives me renewed optimism. We just need to resolve the Isak situation one way or another.

Amy: Newcastle were outstanding and the lads should be proud of themselves for this performance. Liverpool didn't have a clue how to combat them and won from pure luck. Fair play to young Rio. What a feeling for him but Newcastle were the better team. Howay the lads!

Matt: Excellent from the Mags. Full-throttle football showing no fear for the league title-holders. The subs were very good and there was clear dominance for the majority of the game despite having 10 men. Liverpool were lucky but ultimately took their chances. I don't think a loss was deserved at all. I'm very pleased for Osula too. Gordon as a false nine just doesn't work. Play Osula at Leeds and I bet he scores two!

Charles: Proud of Newcastle - more spirit than any other team and one striker away from humbling Liverpool.

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool were certainly clinical at St James' Park on Monday. But Newcastle will still rue not pressing home their advantage with a full complement of players when the game was goalless.

Set-plays were wasted. The hosts were screaming out for a poacher to get on the end of teasing crosses that were gratefully claimed by Alisson. On the one occasion a delivery from Harvey Barnes picked out the head of Anthony Gordon, the forward failed to hit the target.

Digging deeper, Newcastle have had 26 shots in their opening two league games of the season, but Eddie Howe's side have managed just six efforts on target and two goals.

Although William Osula got on the scoresheet on Monday night, the 22-year-old is still developing and has never started a Premier League game for the club.

However, if Newcastle do not reach a breakthrough in the transfer market in the coming days, the Dane could yet line up against Leeds United on Saturday after bids were turned down for Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.

It was certainly not lost on Howe that one of the best strikers in the world is still on Newcastle's books – and how the hosts could have used the Alexander Isak of old.

"The quality of Alex would have made a difference in the two games," Howe said. "I don't think there's any denying that. But, that said, the team has functioned really well.

"The performance of the players and the team in the two games doesn't happen without every part of the team functioning well. You can't carry anyone in this division against any opponent. Yes, we needed to score in that first half when we were on top. Goals change games, but we're just dealing with what we have."

Howe said he was "not party to the talks that were happening" after suggestions that Jamie Reuben, the club's owner, had held face-to-face discussions with Isak, while chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is also in town.

But, one way or the other, a resolution to this saga is finally imminent, with the window closing on 1 September.

How it is needed.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James says "it's good that they are winning" but added the Reds "look a bit vulnerable at times".

Liverpool have begun their title defence with two wins and sit third in the table after thrilling victories over Bournemouth and Newcastle.

James told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "Arne [Slot] has got some thinking and sorting out to do because a few things cropped up in the three games - if you include the [Community Shield] game against Crystal Palace.

"Aerially you would think Liverpool were going to be dominant with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in there, but they look a little bit vulnerable at times. It's good that they are winning but there is still room for Arne to do some work."

The Reds have conceded four goals in their opening two Premier League games of a season for the first time since 2016-17.

Against Newcastle, they let in two goals while their opponents have been down to 10 men in a league match for the first time since December 2001 when they faced Arsenal.

Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi has been linked with a move to Anfield before the transfer deadline, with his current contract at Selhurst Park expiring at the end of this season.

• Find and follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Everyone in and around Chelsea's Cobham training ground knew Rio Ngumoha was special.

Therefore, there was great anger when he departed for Liverpool despite multiple contract offers from the west Londoners.

Such was the strength of feeling, Chelsea were believed to have banned the Reds' youth scouts from attending academy matches.

Insiders at Chelsea now acknowledge that Liverpool and Manchester United have caught up with their own academy and that of Manchester City, which had been the most well-funded and the dominant forces in youth football for the past decade or so.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was understandably ecstatic when 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha brought some composure to a wild evening on Tyneside with the calm late finish that gave the Premier League champions a dramatic victory over Newcastle.

It capped a fiery, frenetic encounter that barely let up for a minute, but in which Liverpool cast aside a position of relative comfort to be rocked by 10-man Newcastle, who were backed by a vociferous Toon Army.

Liverpool will take their second successive victory in defence of their crown, but it was also the second time they have given away a two-goal lead, having done the same against Bournemouth in their opening game at Anfield.

As against the Cherries, Liverpool pulled themselves out of trouble late on, but the manner in which they lost their composure so badly, especially with a numerical advantage, will be a serious concern for Slot.

Liverpool were not unsettled by quality football from Newcastle, but by the sheer intensity and force of will from Eddie Howe's side.

From looking so calm and measured when winning the title last term, this season they have looked constantly vulnerable in defence, even with the presence of Virgil van Dijk.

The big plus, apart from Ngumoha's effort, was Hugo Ekitike scoring for a second successive league game. His clinical, low finish showed exactly why Newcastle wanted him so badly before he moved to Liverpool.

Slot will take the victory, but he will have real worries about his side's defensive frailties.

Image source, Getty Images

Anthony Gordon has posted an apology on his Instagram, external story following his red card in Newcastle's 3-2 home defeat by Liverpool on Monday.

The England forward was dismissed in first-half stoppage time after an on-pitch VAR review for a late lunge on Reds defender Virgil van Dijk.

He will now be suspended for the Magpies' next three matches.

Gordon also apologised directly to Van Dijk, who had clear stud marks visible down his calf as a result of the challenge.

The message read: "I want to sincerely apologise to my team-mates and the fans. My intentions were pure. I was just trying to create energy in the game and I mistimed the tackle.

"I also want to apologise to Virgil. I would never intend to tackle somebody like this on purpose. We spoke after and he knows that.

"More importantly, I'm so proud of the time I spent on the pitch and how we played. The atmosphere from you all is what makes St James' Park so special.

"I love everything we stand for as a club and no more than right now. I'll be back and better, the same as every other setback I've ever faced. See you soon."

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Rio Ngumoha's late winner for Liverpool unsurprisingly dominates Tuesday's back pages.

He became just the second 16-year-old to score a winning goal in the Premier League after Wayne Rooney and The Times references the commentary for Rooney's famous breakthrough goal for Everton against Arsenal with the headline "Remember the name".

The Express uses Rio in the pun "Rio Grand" while picturing a distraught-looking Anthony Gordon after the Newcastle forward's red card in first-half stoppage time.

The Mirror opts for 'Teenage Kicks in the Teeth' as a play on The Undertones' famous song Teenage Kicks while referencing Newcastle's heroic performance in defeat.

The Star meanwhile goes for 'Looney Toon' to empahise the chaotic match which swung both ways before Ngumoha's decisive intervention at the death.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Sport about his reaction to Monday's dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle: "Relief, because if you are 2-0 up against 10 men - they brought it back to 2-2 and maybe it was even deserved.

"Then, they had more chances than we had. Their fans were so loud - wow! It was an amazing atmosphere. To end with a goal during the best attack we had... the feeling is relief. We found a way to win."

On 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha scoring the winner: "He is not afraid to play. It's a great finish and a great attack from the whole team."

On conceding two goals: "If you want to be where we want to be at the end of the season, you have to start keeping clean sheets. We've conceded too many goals, but we have scored too."

On links with Alexander Isak and the possibility of signing players before next Monday's transfer deadline: "We should talk about the game and Hugo Ekitike scoring for the third game in a row. This is not the moment or the place to say anything else."

Did you know?

• Ngumoha's winner made him Liverpool's youngest Premier League scorer at 16 years and 361 days old.

• The Reds have found the net in 98% of their Premier League matches under Arne Slot (39/40) - the highest percentage of games scored in by any manager with 15 or more games in the competition's history.

• This was the first time the Reds have conceded two goals while their opponents were down to 10 men in the Premier League since December 2001 against Arsenal.

• Ekitike is the fourth Liverpool player to score in his first two Premier League appearances, after Nigel Clough (1993), Milan Baros (2002) and Daniel Sturridge (2013), and the first to score in his first three in all competitions since Sturridge.

Hear more from Slot on BBC Sounds

Newcastle officials, including co-owner Jamie Reuben, have spoken to Alexander Isak at his home in an attempt to convince the 25-year-old striker to stay at the club and return to Eddie Howe's squad despite Liverpool's interest. (Mail), external

Roma's directors will hold a meeting with Liverpool over a deal for Kostas Tsimikas, with Marseille also interested in the left-back. (Football Italia), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has named an unchanged side after the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on the opening day.

New signing Jacob Ramsey is named on the bench for the first time after his move from Aston Villa.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.

Subs: Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Osula, Murphy, Willock, Ramsey, Miley.

Arne Slot has made two changes to the Liverpool side who took three points against Bournemouth on the opening day.

Jeremie Frimpong misses out with a hamstring injury while Alexis Mac Allister is set to become a parent for the first time.

Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch come into the starting XI.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Jones, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Bradley, Endo, Chiesa, Leoni, Elliott, Robertson, Ngumoha.

Newcastle haven't won against Liverpool in the Premier League since 2015.

Can they end the run tonight at St James' Park?

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

What a time this is for Hugo Ekitike to be making his first visit to St James' Park after Liverpool won the race, ahead of Newcastle United, to sign the French forward last month.

Ekitike is a player Magpies boss Eddie Howe knows well and, without blinking, he can reel off a concise scouting report: really good movement, intelligent, good in the air, scores goals off both feet. That was the lowdown. That was why Newcastle wanted him.

"There's no doubt I really like Hugo and have done for a number of years," Howe said. "He was someone we tracked for a long time."

That is an understatement.

In fact, Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike on three separate occasions over a three-and-a-half-year period.

The Magpies made their first move in January 2022 when Ekitike was not exactly a household name.

But the 23-year-old always had immense potential.

Few know that better than former Brighton manager Oscar Garcia, who worked with Ekitike at Reims at the time.

"You do not find many strikers like him at that age," Garcia recently told Sky Sports.

"He is tall, fast, mobile, very good one against one, holds the ball and scores goals. He can fit with teams that play more on the counter-attack, but also with teams with more possession because he has the skill for both styles.

"Hugo knows which aspects he can improve on, but he also needs help to develop his potential to reach the level that all the people who know him believe he can reach."

Newcastle were not alone among Premier League clubs in recognising those qualities, however.

Liverpool had also been tracking Ekitike for some time after the striker rediscovered his spark at Eintracht Frankfurt following a frustrating spell at Paris St-Germain.

Newcastle may have made the opening offer to Eintracht last month, but Ekitike had his sights set on a £69m move to Anfield after previously speaking to Reds boss Arne Slot.

It proved a significant moment in the transfer window. In more ways than one.

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Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There can be little doubt that Liverpool's signing of Hugo Ekitike had a knock-on effect on the Alexander Isak saga.

If Newcastle had signed Ekitike, the club would have had a potential successor already in the building and time left to bring in an additional striker to replace Callum Wilson, who left last month.

However, having also subsequently missed out on Benjamin Sesko, who joined Manchester United, Newcastle are facing a race against the clock to recruit even one centre-forward before the close of business on 1 September – let alone two.

No wonder the club do not foresee the "conditions" of Isak's sale being met in the final throes of the window.

And that is before mentioning the prospect of Liverpool making an improved bid for Isak that actually gives Newcastle a decision to make, when the Magpies have held firm to date.

Arne Slot, understandably, would not be drawn on the possibility of the Anfield club returning to the table for Isak.

But the Liverpool manager appreciates what lies in wait at St James' Park - regardless of the backdrop to the game.

Newcastle's victory over Liverpool in last season's Carabao Cup final underlines the size of the visitors' task on Tyneside.

"It's nothing to do with anything that's in the media," Slot said. "If you go to Newcastle, you know what to expect.

"We played them three times last season and their intensity levels were twice above ours. In the away game [a 3-3 draw in December], especially the first 60 minutes, they were so intense. They fully deserved the lead, and in the League Cup final they were more intense than us.

"So I don't think they need anything to add if they play at St James' Park."

Image source, Getty Images

All eyes will be on St James' Park on Monday as Newcastle host Liverpool in the Premier League.

And as the Alexander Isak saga roles on, former England captain Wayne Rooney predicts the match will have even more emotion and ferocity behind it.

"It's a big game." he said on The Wayne Rooney Show. "Historically, throughout the Premier League years, there's been some great games between the two teams.

"It's going to be a hostile atmosphere, for sure, and it's so loud as an away player.

"If Newcastle fans are on it, you can't hear the away fans, and sometimes in away games you need your fans to pull you through tough moments in games. So it's difficult when you can't hear them.

"With everything that's gone on over the summer with Isak, I think Newcastle fans will be right up for it.

"It's a Monday night, bank holiday Monday night too, so I'm sure the Newcastle fans will have enjoyed the day as well!"

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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Jordan Chamberlain, Liverpool fan writer

Liverpool are in a tricky situation. Despite apparently 'winning the transfer window' with monster deals for Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and others, the Reds went into the second weekend of the season worryingly short in attack.

We have sold Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, while tragically losing Diogo Jota. Ekitike doesn't cover all three.

Liverpool have seemingly put all eggs into Alexander Isak's basket. While the striker is desperate to come, Newcastle United, who have failed in all their attempts to buy replacements, have doubled down on their going nowhere stance.

Liverpool usually wait to get the right player instead of buying stopgaps. And for this reason, I see Isak signing in January.

The situation mirrors Philippe Coutinho's exit to Barcelona in 2018. The Brazilian feigned a back injury and did everything he could to leave the summer previous, but with Liverpool not prepared for his sale, they simply said no.

Then, the Reds prepared for his departure and used him well for five months before cashing in. I expect the same thing to happen with the Swede, although reintegration at St James' Park will be tougher given his scorched earth Instagram statement last week.

As for Monday's game against the Magpies? Gulp. There is literally no harder game for Liverpool on planet Earth right now given the ferocity with which their players and fans will approach it.

I'm praying for no injuries.

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Matty Renton. Newcastle fan contributor

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Bukayo Saka is set to miss Arsenal's visit to Liverpool on Sunday.

Saka limped off with a hamstring injury in Saturday's win over Leeds United and it is estimated the forward will be unavailable for three to four weeks.

Meanwhile, Gunners captain Martin Odegaard is in a race against time to prove his fitness for the Anfield trip after suffering a shoulder injury.

Odegaard looked in pain as he was substituted in the first half against Leeds and the midfielder is understood to have left Emirates Stadium in a sling.

However, the Norway international has not yet been ruled out of Sunday's game.

This match was going to be intense anyway, but the Alexander Isak transfer saga has ramped it up a notch. There's going to be an edge to this one and, honestly, anything could happen.

Newcastle go into this game hampered by the fact they don't have a number nine. They were were brilliant against Aston Villa but guess what, they missed a centre-forward.

A lot has been made about Liverpool's defence, they conceded a couple of soft ones against Bournemouth so there'll be a worry there. But then you look at Liverpool's attack and you think, blimey.

Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike, who had a blinder of a debut and who Newcastle wanted to sign. Funnily enough, had Newcastle got Ekitike then Isak would probably be at Liverpool.

There'll be goals in this. Neither of these sides take a backwards step. I veer towards Liverpool solely because Newcastle don't have a centre-forward. But, are they still capable of scoring goals? Absolutely.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have interest in signing Real Madrid and Brazil winger Rodrygo, but the Spanish club are yet to receive a bid for the 24-year-old. (Marca - in Spanish), external

Newcastle are bracing themselves for another bid from Liverpool for Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, after Monday's Premier League fixture between the two sides. (The I paper - subscription required), external

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