It wasn’t perfect. Far from it. But in a season where the margins will be razor-thin, nights like these could prove decisive.
Liverpool left Tyneside with three points, a classic smash and grab fresh belief, and the emergence of a 16-year-old who might just be the future of the club.
Here are the five things learnt from a dramatic night in Newcastle.
Rio Ngumoha announces himself in spectacular fashion
There are dream debuts, and then there’s this.
At just 16 years old, Rio Ngumoha etched his name into Premier League history with a stoppage-time winner that sent the Liverpool bench and away end into raptures.
Those who followed pre-season already knew his talent, but doing it under the lights at St James’ Park, in a game of such intensity, is a different level altogether.
Last week, it was Federico Chiesa. This week, it was a 16-year-old. Rio Ngumoha to the rescue.
Calm on the ball, confident enough to throw in a few stepovers, and ruthless in front of goal when it mattered most. Ngumoha showed why Liverpool fought to prise him away from Chelsea.
He becomes the club’s youngest ever goalscorer, and the fourth youngest Premier League history, but more importantly, he gave Arne Slot a golden reminder of the depth of youthful talent at his disposal. This was a debut to change a career.
Szoboszlai proves his versatility and quality
With Jeremie Frimpong ruled out through injury, Arne Slot turned to Dominik Szoboszlai in a makeshift full-back role and it proved a masterstroke.
His athleticism, tactical awareness, and speed allowed him to adapt seamlessly, even against a dangerous opponent in Harvey Barnes. Szoboszlai not only defended intelligently but also injected pace and creativity in transition, using his passing range to keep Liverpool ticking.
The Hungarian’s clever dummy for Ngumoha’s winner summed up his awareness and class. It was a performance that underlined why he’s so highly rated: a midfielder by trade, but adaptable enough to deliver wherever his manager asks.
Liverpool’s summer has been dominated by talk of recruitment, but Szoboszlai’s display showed they already have players capable of stepping up in different ways. Not only did he survive in an unfamiliar role, he thrived offering Slot a tactical wildcard that could prove invaluable this season.
Ekitike produces again
Newcastle may have been distracted by the Alexander Isak transfer saga, but Liverpool’s new-look forward line quietly made another statement.
Hugo Ekitike, the 23-year-old who arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt, has already started to carve out his own identity in red. Three games, three goals, each one drilled low and true a striker who thrives on precision and movement rather than raw power.
Against Newcastle he initially struggled to link play, misplacing passes and drifting out of rhythm. But true strikers don’t need 90 minutes of dominance — they need one decisive moment — and Ekitike delivered again, restoring confidence with a clinical finish.
The fact he’s the first Liverpool player since Daniel Sturridge to score in his first three competitive games says plenty. For Slot, the lesson is clear — even in a performance full of flaws, there’s a foundation for a refreshed and dangerous attack.
The Frenchman is already showing why Liverpool pushed so hard to sign him. He never stops moving, constantly dragging defenders into uncomfortable areas, and has a knack for turning half-chances into goals.
For a player who chose Anfield despite plenty of other suitors, including Newcastle, he already looks like he belongs and his sharp start could be a key factor in Liverpool’s title defence.
The Isak saga still hangs over Newcastle
Even with the chaos of the game itself, Alexander Isak’s name was everywhere. The away end taunted Newcastle with chants of “hand him over” and the uncertainty surrounding his future felt like the backdrop to everything.
On the pitch, Newcastle looked blunt without him. With Gordon now suspended and Callum Wilson not fully trusted in these big fixtures, Eddie Howe lacked a cutting edge.
Reports of a rejected bid for Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen underline their desperation to find another option, but time is running out before the transfer deadline.
Liverpool’s interest in Isak remains alive, but whether Newcastle can afford to lose their biggest attacking star is another matter entirely.
Either way, the uncertainty lingers and it was clear here that without Isak, Newcastle lack a ruthless finisher.
Liverpool’s flaws remain — but so does their resilience
For all the euphoria of the win, it would be foolish to ignore Liverpool’s problems.
Ibrahima Konaté endured a torrid evening at the back. He was off the pace and struggled with shifting through the gears when mapping the runs of Anthony Gordon playing the false 9 role. Very much a night to forget, quickly.
The midfield, without Alexis Mac Allister, was too often bypassed as Newcastle swarmed forward. And despite playing against 10 men for part of the game, Liverpool looked vulnerable and second-best for long stretches.
Yet, they found a way. Ekitike took his chance. Szoboszlai adapted to a new role. Ngumoha delivered the unforgettable moment. This wasn’t a dominant display it was a gritty, chaotic, backs-to-the-wall performance that relied on flashes of individual brilliance.
For Arne Slot, that’s both a concern and a positive. His team are clearly still adjusting to his methods and need greater control in games. But the mentality, the refusal to give in, and the ability to turn chaos into victory are hallmarks of champions.
Liverpool’s performance at St James’ Park was chaotic, imperfect, and at times worrying. Konaté struggled, the midfield lost control, and they looked vulnerable whenever Newcastle pushed forward. And yet, they won.
More importantly, they found new heroes. Ekitike’s early-season form shows Liverpool’s recruitment gamble was justified. Szoboszlai’s versatility offered a tactical solution when injuries hit. And above all, a teenager named Rio Ngumoha wrote himself into Premier League folklore.
Slot will know his side must improve especially with Arsenal up next. But for now, Liverpool can celebrate one of those wild, unforgettable nights that fans will talk about for years.
