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Five Things we Learnt From Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool

Drama was expected from last night's matchup, and it is safe to say that it delivered. Newcastle came oh so close to earning a point after being 2-0 behind, but young starlet Rio Ngumoha had other plans as he scored a winner in the 10th minute of stoppage time to bring three points back to Meryside.

Newcastle started the match as the stronger of the two sides, with the Toon support roaring at every pass, tackle, and shot made by their players. And this worked. Liverpool were penned back for the majority of the first half as they were unable to gain any semblance of control over the match.

So naturally, of course, it was Liverpool who drew first blood in the 35th minute when Ryan Gravenberch’s shot flew past a standstill Nick Pope, albeit due to a nasty deflection.

Ten minutes later, Newcastle’s evening unravelled when Anthony Gordon was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk. Charging in at full pace, he caught the defender’s ankle, prompting referee Simon Hooper to initially brandish a yellow card. However, after being advised by VAR to conduct an on-field review, the decision was upgraded to a straight red.

Within 20 seconds of the restart, Hugo Eketike would score the second of the evening before Arne Slot was able to retake his position on the bench from the visitors' dressing room.

Newcastle’s hope was restored when Bruno Guimaraes headed home in the 57th minute, and it looked like the home team had earned a hard-fought point when William Osula shot passed Alisson in the 88th minute of the match.

That was until 16-year-old Nugumoha's curling shot flew past Pope in the 100th minute of the game.

Can we all please take a moment to appreciate Dominik Szoboszlai's dummy to set up Rio Ngumoha for Liverpool's winner? 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/8k3TvJLFJk
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 25, 2025

Football Park breaks down the five key talking points from this erratic match.

Two wins for the champions, but Slot needs more

Liverpool’s first two games of the Premier League season were hard fixtures; there is no doubt in that. An opening day match against Bournemouth would always be tricky, and an away trip to St James Park is a fixture even the best teams can slip up on.

Two wins from these games is a strong start for Liverpool; they currently sit in third place with the most goals scored in the league (7).

But their performances in these two games have laid bare a contrasting narrative—moments of attacking flair and resilience shadowed by defensive frailties and inconsistency. From squandering a two-goal cushion against Bournemouth to being pushed to the limit against Newcastle, the Reds certainly have defensive issues they need to work on.

Arne Slot will know that, in giving up 20 shots, 2.63 xG and six big chances en route to six points, his team have shown major defensive vulnerabilities.

They have already conceded four goals so far, with only three teams in the league shipping more.

Their matchup next week against Arsenal will be an opportunity for the champions to showcase their defensive grit.

Liverpool have scored in 39 of 40 Premier League matches under Arne Slot 🤯

That’s 98% - the highest rate of any manager with 15+ matches in the competition's history. pic.twitter.com/opz0A0ECEL
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 26, 2025

Anthony Gordon and Newcastle’s injury issues

When Anthony Gordon clattered into Virgil Van Dijk just minutes before the first-half whistle, Edie Howe must have been having an existential crisis on the side of the pitch.

The English manager now has to navigate Newcastle’s next three matches without a number nine on the pitch.

To make matters worse, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Fabian Schar all reluctantly left the pitch after sustaining injuries.

With Joe Willock still sidelined by a calf injury and Alexander Isak absent amid speculation over a move to Liverpool, the task is becoming increasingly difficult for Howe

Anthony Gordon last 14 matches:

0 goals
0 assists
2 red cards pic.twitter.com/rM9sd94kDb
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) August 25, 2025

Wirtz unimpressive start

For a player who cost up to £116 million, Florian Wirtz has not started well.

He followed up his unimpressive debut against Bournemouth with an equally unimpressive second game, where he was dominated on the ball and outshone by the opposing midfield. He was subbed off, for a second consecutive match, in the 80th minute.

Yes, it has only been two games. Yes, Florian Wirtz has shown that he is a fantastic player at Bayer Leverkusen and worthy of his pricetag. But as games slowly ebb forward, the scrutiny around his pricetag will only get larger.

As mentioned, Liverpool’s next test comes against Arsenal. If Wirtz struggles again, the whispers questioning his impact will quickly grow into shouts.

wirtz has to deliver straight away, 126 million british pounds. we will be watching very closely.
— 🧏🏾 (@HawkesAFC) June 10, 2025

The Isak saga

There is no doubt that this match was built around the controversy surrounding Alexander Isak. Dubbed the El Iaskico, tempers were flaring from players and fans before the match.

Every touch of the Swedish striker’s absence was felt in the stands, with chants and banners aimed at both the player and the club hierarchy. For Newcastle, the saga created a cloud of distraction; for Liverpool, it added an extra edge to an already fiery contest.

Isak has been looking to leave Newcastle for the past few weeks, and it seems like Liverpool is the suitor for him. He has been pushing a move, taking to Instagram, stating: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken.”

“The reality is that promises were made, and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.”

When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue

There is doubt that Isak will not play for Newcastle anytime soon, but will the Toon keep their star player and attempt to convince him to play, or load him off to Liverpool for a big payday?

Wow!

Attempts to get Isak to stay at Newcastle took place at the striker's home yesterday, but the Sweden international is sticking to his guns and wants to leave the club.

-@lee_ryder
— indykaila News (@indykaila) August 26, 2025

Rio Nugumoha makes his mark

From one striker to the next, Rio Nugumoha scored the winning goal in this sensational Premier League match.

At just 16, he became the youngest player since Rooney to score a match-winning goal in the Premier League—Wayne Rooney had been only a day younger when he netted his iconic strike against Arsenal in 2002.

Nugumoha is also the youngest ever Liverpool goalscorer.

Staff at the club were very impressed by his training in pre-season, but few Liverpool fans expected him to be coming off the bench as an impact sub.

Ekitike may be the real deal, but there is no doubt that we will be seeing much more of the young striker throughout the rest of the season.