Rio Ngumoha helped Liverpool secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle in a thrilling and fascinating Premier League encounter at St. James’ Park.
Much of the build-up concerned the future of Alexander Isak and whether he will be joining the Reds. As such the home supporters created a raucous atmosphere inside the stadium jeering their opponents and cheering on the hosts.
Anthony Gordon missed some early chances before Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch struck from range to send the visitors in front. The match seemingly turned on its head on the stroke of half-time as Gordon was sent off for a challenge on Virgil van Dijk before Huge Ekitike doubled the scoreline after the second half restart.
But, Newcastle never gave up. Encouraged by the crowd the Magpies first pulled a goal back through captain Bruno Guimaraes before third-choice striker William Osula came off the bench to poke home an equaliser late in the game.
16-year-old Ngumoha had the last say however and came off the bench to roll in the winning goal and keep Liverpool’s winning start in tact.Relive the updates and reaction from St James’ Park below:
Newcastle vs Liverpool LIVE
- REPORT: Rio Ngumoha’s decisive cameo inflicts heartbreaking defeat on suffering Newcastle
- 90+10' GOAL! Ngumoha slots home stoppage time winner (NEW 2-3 LIV)
- 88' GOAL! Osula comes off bench to score equaliser (NEW 2-2 LIV)
- 57' GOAL! Guimaraes keeps Newcastle hopes alive with headed effort (NEW 1-2 LIV)
- 46' GOAL! Ekitike doubles Liverpool's lead after restart (NEW 0-2 LIV)
- 46' RED CARD! Gordon dimissed for wild challenge on Van Dijk (NEW 0-1 LIV)
- 35' GOAL! Gravenberch's strike sends Liverpool ahead against run of play (NEW 0-1 LIV)
Newcastle United FC 2 - 3 Liverpool FC
Howe issues concerning injury updates after ‘pretty bad day’
Tuesday 26 August 2025 00:15 , Alex PattleHere’s everything Howe had to say about the injury issues afflicting Newcastle tonight.
Leeds away is Newcastle’s next game – a very winnable one, on paper, but less so after tonight’s injuries?
Eddie Howe issues concerning injury updates after ‘pretty bad day’
Newcastle fans swoon over Guimaraes performance in light of Isak dispute
Tuesday 26 August 2025 00:00 , Alex PattleLots of Newcastle fans have taken to social media tonight to express their gratitude to – and admiration for – captain Bruno Guimaraes.
He worked incredibly hard tonight, scored the first goal to keep Newcastle in the game, and as Richard Jolly reported from the stadium, he wrote in his programme notes that his family are now Geordies.
The fans in question are, as you’d expect, contrasting Bruno’s attitude with that of Isak, who has refused to train and play amid his effort to leave the club.
Did the Isak saga just become even more fascinating?
Monday 25 August 2025 23:50 , Alex PattleOh, to be a fly on the wall for Isak’s meetings with Newcastle higher-ups.
If he stays, what on Earth will the atmosphere inside the changing room be like?
And in the stands?
🇸🇦 NUFC chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan waits for Eddie Howe on full-time, with co-owner Jamie Reuben
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 25, 2025
🇸🇪 Moves being made to persuade Alexander Isak to stay & play today pic.twitter.com/8dVBwTBdVx
Ngumoha’s goal a history-making moment
Monday 25 August 2025 23:41 , Alex PattleThe youngest-ever goalscorer in Liverpool’s history:
"A great Premier League moment!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
"That was beautiful!"
Carra & Thierry react to Rio Ngumoha's late, late winner. pic.twitter.com/vkYUojynkP
Howe on Isak meeting with Newcastle figures
Monday 25 August 2025 23:30 , Alex PattleHere’s more of what Howe had to say on Isak’s potential exit:
"There were reports this evening that the club met with Isak"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
"I wasn't aware of that, obviously talks have been going on"
😬 pic.twitter.com/rOcj3DXG1I
Thierry Henry on how Newcastle injuries could affect Isak stance
Monday 25 August 2025 23:19 , Alex PattleA good point from Thierry Henry?
Maybe Newcastle will have to dig in their heels even more than they already have, in regard to Isak.
Howe admitted that Joelinton and Tonali’s injuries looked “threatening” to the team, while Gordon is now out for three games due to that red card.
"With all the injuries - make him stay!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
Thierry Henry thinks Newcastle's injuries suffered tonight might change the Magpies approach to the Alexander Isak debacle... pic.twitter.com/Hxb3DkI9qn
Howe on Alexander Isak’s absence plus latest on potential exit
Monday 25 August 2025 23:09 , Alex PattleHowe said his team did a lot of things well but, “I think we’ll have to show that in a new way without Alex.”
He’s asked if he’s aware of Isak having met with the club, which happened today.
“I wasn’t aware of that, so obviously talks have been going on since Alex decided to not go on tour with us.
“I concentrate on coaching the team, so I’ve got no update for you.”
“We hope that we can bring players into the football club, especially in the forward positions, so we’ll continue right to the end [of the transfer window].”
Howe on Gordon’s red card
Monday 25 August 2025 23:06 , Alex PattleHowe: “I thought there was no intent. People say it looked bad, I haven’t seen it back. I thought he tried to pull out at the end [...] As I said, I don’t think there was any intent from him.”
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe on injury concerns
Monday 25 August 2025 23:04 , Alex PattleHowe: “A bruising game for us. I think so many different emotions, because really proud, really pleased, great energy, great intensity.
“Really proud of the following of the gameplan, and then the adapting [with 10 men]. To come away with nothing, injuries, suspensions and concussions – it’s a pretty bad day
“Sandro [Tonali]’s doesn’t look good, he was in quite a bit of pain. I don’t know the full extent of his or Joelinton’s injury, but the both look quite threatening to us.”
Sky Sports release footage of Jamie Carragher’s wild reaction to winner
Monday 25 August 2025 22:46 , Alex PattleNo caption needed @carra23 pic.twitter.com/OUToQUrtZA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
Ngumoha’s decisive cameo inflicts heartbreaking defeat on suffering Newcastle
Monday 25 August 2025 22:40 , Alex PattleRichard Jolly at St James’ Park:
In the 100th minute, on his Premier League debut, in the week he will turn 17, in a game when 10 men had come from 2-0 down against the champions. Every aspect of it was remarkable.
Rio Ngumoha’s first Liverpool goal was a winner, but so much more than that. In part, it was a sequel for Liverpool.
Last week Federico Chiesa was the substitute who delivered the decisive goal, also after they gave up a 2-0 lead. In each case, they may not have been required had Liverpool got the attacking reinforcements they wanted. Each nevertheless showed a strength in depth.
Liverpool, once again, found an astonishing way to win on another night when they did not require Alexander Isak. Theirs has been a flawed 100 percent start to their title defence.
But it turns out Eddie Howe was wrong when he described the Isak saga as a “lose-lose” situation for Newcastle. It became worse than that. Lose-lose-lose, perhaps, or lose-lose-lose-lose.
Full match report:
Rio Ngumoha’s decisive cameo inflicts heartbreaking defeat on suffering Newcastle
Slot on Liverpool’s pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak
Monday 25 August 2025 22:36 , Alex PattleSlot: “I think the story should be about Hugo Ekitike scoring another goal for us.
“It wouldn’t be fair for me to talk about anything else.
“This is not the place to talk about anything else than that, in my opinion, but I can understand you asking.”
"I think the story should be about Hugo Ekitike"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
Arne Slot responds to questions around Alexander Isak's future. pic.twitter.com/0x2vPKj2mt
Slot on Rio Ngumoha’s record-breaking goal
Monday 25 August 2025 22:35 , Alex PattleSlot on Ngumoha, Liverpool’s new youngest-ever scorer:
“We have [a special player] and he’s shown that already a few times.
“It’s always nice that he scores a goal.
“It was a big chance, and [I expected a goal from] a player that can finish really well for this age.
“How firm his shot was, you don’t see this so often for a 16-year-old.”
Slot says someone in the dressing room – he won’t say who – said they’d probably have taken a touch in that position, whereas Ngumoha took it first time.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot on chaotic win over Newcastle
Monday 25 August 2025 22:29 , Alex PattleSlot: “I’m not too sure if I saw a football match today. It was set piece after set piece, long throws... It didn’t have a lot to do with tactics.
“When a goalkeeper takes every free kick, it’s not such a big help if you’re one player up.
“We didn’t play well enough with the ball. Whenever we ended up in the final phase, our attackers immediately tried to force something.”
Van Dijk on Ngumoha’s ‘dream debut’ and goal
Monday 25 August 2025 22:25 , Alex PattleVan Dijk: “For sure, I mean, it’s a dream debut for him.
“I’m very, very pleased for Rio. Now he has to keep working hard and stay humble. You can’t take these nights for granted, of course, if you’re in his position.
“With the players we have, I’m sure he’ll have a hard session in training tomorrow.”
Van Dijk on Gordon’s red-card challenge on him
Monday 25 August 2025 22:23 , Alex PattleVan Dijk: “I said to him, ‘If it’s not a sending off, then I don’t know [what’s going on].’
“I think it’s already strange that the ref had to check the monitor.
“If he [Gordon] meant it or not, it happened, and we move on.”
FT Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 22:21 , Alex PattleAnd here’s how Ngumoha broke Newcastle hearts...
16-year-old Rio Ngumoha wins all three points at the death for Liverpool! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/85jkiAfCrE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
FT Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 22:18 , Alex PattleHere’s how Osula almost secured a point for Newcastle...
What a moment for William Osula! 💥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
Newcastle equalise despite being down to 10! pic.twitter.com/cTqhtPPXlY
FT Who is Rio Ngumoha?
Monday 25 August 2025 22:10 , Alex PattleYou may be asking yourself: just who is Rio Ngumoha?
Well, thankfully our friend and yours Mike Jones can answer that question comprehensively.
Here’s all you need to know about the 16-year-old sensation, Liverpool’s match winner off the bench tonight – the youngest-ever scorer in Reds history:
Rio Ngumoha: Get to know Liverpool’s teen sensation ready to star in Premier League
Full time! Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 22:06 , Alex Pattle90+13 mins: We’re into added time of added time now!
Pope goes up for a free kick, which results in a Newcastle corner. Pope stays there... but the delivery is cleared.
The full time whistle is surely all that awaits now.
It is! Game over. So tough on Newcastle, but typical Liverpool to rescue victory at the last – for the second week in a row, no less, but even later this time.
GOAL! Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool (Ngumoha, 90+10 mins)
Monday 25 August 2025 22:03 , Alex Pattle90+10 mins: Heartbreak for Newcastle, ecstasy for the champions!
And for Ngumoha in particular, who pounces on a Salah cutback that is left smartly by Szoboszlai!
The ball reaches the 16-year-old totally alone inside the Newcastle box, and he whips it into the top right corner of the net! Great finish, and what a moment.
Substitutions! Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 21:58 , Alex Pattle90+7 mins: Another couple of corners for Newcastle now.
They’re unable to do anything with the first; can they do something with the second?
Ealnga’s delivery is cleared, and Osula gives away a free kick in battling with Kerkez all the while.
Two Liverpool substitutes ensue.
Off: Gakpo, Jones.
On: Harvey Elliott, Rio Ngumoha,
Ngumoha is about to turn 17! What a moment for the youngster.
11 minutes added time! Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 21:53 , Alex Pattle90 mins: There’s a rise in anticipation around the ground as Newcastle win a corner... then 11 minutes of added time are announced.
Newcastle are pushing for a winner, but this might soon turn into a matter of having to hold off Liverpool.
GOAL! Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool (Will Osula, 88 mins)
Monday 25 August 2025 21:50 , Alex Pattle88 mins: Oh, my word! Newcastle seem to have rescued it at the last!
A free kick from near the half way line is taken by Pope, bounces on the edge of the box, and is nudged into the area by Burn...
And Osula darts onto the ball, flicking it past Alisson from close range! Roars around St James’ Park!
'Injuries adding to Newcastle shortage'
Monday 25 August 2025 21:47 , Richard JollyRichard Jolly at St. James’ Park: “With Joelinton going off injured after Tonali, Newcastle could be without two-thirds of a brilliant midfield, to add to their striking shortage.
“At least they have bought in midfield and Jacob Ramsey is on for his debut.
“They actually have a striker, too, though it is young Will Osula, who would be their third-choice specialist centre-forward.
“If they had two other available centre-forwards.”
More substitutions! Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 21:43 , Alex Pattle78 mins: Another worry for Newcastle. Schar is on the ground with an apparent head injury after a coming-together with a leaping Van Dijk. He’s being checked on and is conscious...
He’ll be replaced by Malick Thiaw, who makes his Newcastle debut. So a concussion substitute.
81 mins: Two changes for Liverpool now.
Off: Wirtz, Ekitike.
On: Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa.
Triple substitution! Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 21:38 , Alex Pattle76 mins: Concern for Newcastle here, as Joelinton hits the turf and appears to be in some discomfort.
Following Tonali’s exit due to injury a few minutes ago, Gordon’s red card, and Isak’s ongoing absence, this is not ideal at all.
Joelinton will go off as part of a triple substitution.
Off: Joelinton, Trippier, Barnes.
On: Jacob Ramsey, Lewis Hall, William Osula.
Ramsey makes his Newcastle debut.
Substitution! Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 21:28 , Alex Pattle67 mins: In the Newcastle midfield, Lewis Miley replaces Tonali, who is holding his arm awkwardly as he exits the field.
A few moments ago, there was a break in play as Tonali was checked for an apparent shoulder injury, after Ekitike appeared to grab the Newcastle midfielder’s arm somewhat, before Tonali tripped and hit the turf.
Within a few seconds of Miley’s arrival, a low cross by Schar flashes through the Liverpool box, and the visitors scramble it away!
Newcastle are knocking on the door for an equaliser, even with 10 men...
'Newcastle's first goal of the season'
Monday 25 August 2025 21:23 , Richard JollyRichard Jolly reporting from St. James’ Park:
“Newcastle's first goal of the season and their first in the last five league games without Isak.
“Guimaraes' programme notes were about how much he loves life in Newcastle and how his children are Geordies.
“It could be read as a reference to the Isak affair.”
GOAL! Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool (Bruno Guimaraes, 57 mins)
Monday 25 August 2025 21:19 , Alex Pattle57 mins: It’s all happening! Somehow Newcastle are back in it!
A Livramento cross from the left flank seems to float forever, before it meets the head of Guimaraes near the back post, and he just gets enough on it to nod the ball past Alisson!
The Liverpool keeper gets a bit of glove on it, but he can’t swat the ball away from his near post, and it bounces in.
Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 21:11 , Alex Pattle50 mins: Liverpool fully in control now, against the 10 men of Newcastle.
Here’s that fine finish from Ekitike just now:
What a finish that is from Hugo Ekitike 👏 pic.twitter.com/KNg0UDysaB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
'The red card was harsh'
Monday 25 August 2025 21:09 , Richard JollyRichard Jolly at St. James’ Park:
“A personal view is that the red card was harsh.
“Yet Gordon didn't need to make the challenge at all. His disciplinary record is increasingly bad.
“And a three-match ban compounds Newcastle's striker shortage.”
Second half, GOAL! Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool (Hugo Ekitike, 46 mins)
Monday 25 August 2025 21:09 , Alex Pattle46 mins: GOAL! Within 20 seconds!
Ekitike sprints through the middle and lays the ball off to Gakpo on the edge of the Newcastle box.
Gakpo’s shot is blocked, but he gets the ball back and nudges it to Ekitike... who places the ball precisely into the bottom left corner, similar to Gravenberch’s goal!
Within 20 seconds of the restart, Liverpool have doubled their lead, and through a player who Newcastle wanted to sign this summer. Oh, dear...
In the next play, Guimaraes picks up a booking, by the way.
HT Newcastle fans send defiant message amid Alexander Isak issues
Monday 25 August 2025 21:07 , Mike JonesNewcastle fans have sent a clear message of solidarity with their club tonight.
Earlier in the transfer window Newcastle rejected a bid of £110m from the Premier League champions for their star forward, Alexander Isak, and have set a valuation of £150m for the 25-year-old.
Isak has since refused to train with the team, claiming Newcastle have broken promises to him over a possible exit, and the Swede has been left out of the matchday squads for both top-flight matches this season.
The Newcastle fans provided a hostile and lively atmosphere in the opening minutes of the match against Liverpool at St. James’ Park, after revealing a banner showing their support over the Isak drama.
The banner read: “Nothing is achieved alone. We are a city, a whole population. We are Newcastle United.”
More here:
Newcastle fans send defiant message amid Alexander Isak issues
HT Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 21:02 , Alex PattleAnd here’s a look at Gordon’s challenge, and the moment that saw his yellow card upgraded to a red.
Anthony Gordon sees RED after VAR review, following a rash tackle on Virgil van Dijk 🟥 pic.twitter.com/uJ4xDBrKAA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025
HT Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 20:55 , Alex PattleGordon went full steam into that challenge.
In trying to maintain the intensity that had been so vital to Newcastle’s largely impressive first half, he just went too far – and at a crucial moment in the game.
What’s worse is that he’d been close to converting for Newcastle on more than one occasion. On a night when Newcastle are already without Isak, their greatest goal threat, they’ve now lost their most dangerous outlet so far tonight – and for a number of upcoming games, too...
Virgil van Dijk reveals impact of Anthony Gordon’s red card challenge
Red card for Gordon! Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 20:46 , Alex Pattle44 mins: Burn is booked now. He stretches for a bouncing ball, but Salah gets there first and is caught slightly by the Newcastle defender.
Again Liverpool have a free kick and the chance to slow down the game, after a couple of decent attacking efforts from Newcastle.
Another booking! Gordon gets a yellow card for scything down Van Dijk by sprinting into the back of his standing leg. In fact, Gordon clipped the other leg as well, on the way in.
VAR will check this, too.
AND IT’S RED! Referee Simon Hooper checks the monitor after advice from the rest of the VAR team, and he decides the yellow card wasn’t enough!
Gordon is gone, right on half time!
GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool (Ryan Gravenberch, 35 mins)
Monday 25 August 2025 20:37 , Alex Pattle35 mins: Out of nowhere, Liverpool break the deadlock! Isn’t that typical??
It’s a lovely finish from Gravenberch, too! He’s afforded too much time to think on the edge of the Newcastle box, and he places a shot into the bottom left corner, with Pope leaning the wrong way and absolutely stranded!
It was so precise, and a hard one for the Newcastle keeper to see.
Newcastle made to pay for failing to capitalise on their momentum.
Chances for Gordon! Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 20:29 , Alex Pattle30 mins: Liverpool survive a scramble in their own box, with a few Newcastle players unable to get a clean shot away, and the Reds are then defanged again as they try to mount a charge at the Newcastle goal.
Joelinton finds Barnes on the left flank, and he crosses for a leaping Gordon... who heads the ball onto the roof of the net!! A dastardly cross, and a good attempt on goal given Gordon is falling backwards slightly...
Another chance for Gordon! A minute later, it’s a very different opportunity, a low cross for Gordon... but he can’t quite stab it home! He’s thwarted well by Szoboszlai.
Newcastle must take advantage of all this pressure.
'Deafening at St. James' Park'
Monday 25 August 2025 20:15 , Richard JollyHere’s Richard Jolly at St. James’ Park:
“Deafening at St James' Park so far, and perhaps predictably.
“A header from Dan Burn brought huge cheers - which, in a very different way, happened in the Carabao Cup final - and so did a booking for Ryan Gravenberch, which could have rather greater consequences, considering how combative the Newcastle midfield is.”
Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 20:09 , Alex Pattle9 mins: Another foul by Trippier, who hauls Ekitike to the grass as the pair vie for a long ball played into the Newcastle half. Still no bookings, though.
It’s a Liverpool free kick from the sideline on their left flank, which Wirtz plays short for Kerkez. Poor ball chipped into the box, however.
Newcastle break, and there’s uproar in the stands as Gravenberch slides through the back of Guimaraes’s legs! He picks up a yellow card, rightly so.
The Newcastle free kick comes from Trippier, near the halfway line, and is played short to Tonali, who curls a long ball into the box.
It ends up in a Newcastle throw-in, by the corner flag.
Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool
Monday 25 August 2025 20:03 , Alex Pattle3 mins: A hearty cheer inside the first 10 seconds, as Burn heads a long ball clear.
A clever touch from Gordon follows in the Liverpool half, as a counter-attack starts, and there are more cheers as Newcastle lose but win back the ball – and win a corner!
The corner is headed away by Kerkez, before Liverpool win a free kick in their own half, as a high boot by Joelinton halts a break by Gakpo.
The home crowd is so up for this occasion.
