Liverpool player ratings vs Newcastle: 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha’s 100th-minute winner helps Reds claim barely deserved victory after Magpies bravely fight back from Anthony Gordon red card The Liverpool wonderkid rescued Arne Slot’s out-of-sorts side as they broke 10-man Newcastle’s hearts in a Premier League classic.

Rio Ngumoha’s stoppage-time winner secured Liverpool an incredible 3-2 victory over a fearless Newcastle United side who played the majority of the game with 10 men.

Newcastle were dominating the Premier League fixture until Ryan Gravenberch’s sucker punch goal from 25 yards stunned the home crowd in the 35th minute. Gordon was then sent off following a VAR review for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk to rub more salt into the wound.

Former Newcastle transfer target Ekitike made it 2-0 with a sumptuous shot 20 seconds into the second half but the home side’s hopes were rekindled thanks to Bruno Guimaraes’ pinpoint header in the 57th minute. The Toon then drew level two minutes from time when William Osula capitalised on some poor defending, but the 16-year-old Reds substitute had the last laugh with a stunning winner in the 100th minute.

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GOAL rates Liverpool’s players from St James’ Park…

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Goalkeeper & Defence

Alisson (7/10):

The Brazilian was the busier of the two keepers in the first half as he did well to keep Newcastle at bay. There wasn’t much he could do for Newcastle’s goals, though. Without him, they would have lost.

Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):

Handled himself fairly competently in an unfamiliar right-back role and stepped more into midfield when his team had the ball. Did a lovely dummy for Ngumoha’s winner.

Ibrahima Konate (5/10):

Does not seem to be at the races so far this season. Perhaps the talk of a Liverpool exit, and his stalling over a new deal, are not helping him right now.

Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

The captain largely led by example at the back, won most of the aerials that came his way and made the defensive line more secure.

Milos Kerkez (6/10):

Was up against the pacy Anthony Elanga, and while the former Manchester United man had him on the back foot, he held his own at times. However, he was outmuscled for Bruno’s headed goal as the Hungarian did some questionable defending.

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Midfield

Curtis Jones (5/10):

The Liverpool academy product was part of a midfield that was overrun at times and looked outmatched against Newcastle’s ferocity.

Ryan Gravenberch (7/10):

The returning midfielder looked a bit off it early on but then scored a superb long-range strike to stun the home crowd. Was busy throughout the contest.

Florian Wirtz (5/10):

Their record signing had a couple of nice moments but many will expect more from the Germany international going forward.

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Attack

Mohamed Salah (6/10):

The Reds legend was feeding off scraps in the first 45 minutes but Newcastle were always wary of his potency.

Hugo Ekitike (7/10):

Had a quiet first half as Dan Burn kept him in check and Newcastle dominated the contest until Gravenberch’s goal. But all that was forgotten when he scored his third goal in three Liverpool games with a clinical finish just after half-time.

Cody Gakpo (5/10):

The Netherlands international didn’t get many chances to come off the left wing  and cut inside for his trademark runs. Offered very little.

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Subs & Manager

Conor Bradley (5/10):

Picked up a booking when he came off the bench.

Federico Chiesa (6/10):

Worked hard but didn’t get much joy out of Newcastle’s defence.

Harvey Elliott (6/10):

Came on for what could be his last game for Liverpool as a summer exit beckons.

Rio Ngumoha (9/10):

Made himself an instant hero with an ice-cool finish at the death.

Wataru Endo (N/A):

Came on right at the end.

Arne Slot (7/10):