Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk celebrated Rio Ngumoha’s “dream debut” after the 16-year-old’s dramatic late winner at Newcastle.
{The teenager} got here off the bench to attain deep into stoppage time in Monday’s Premier League encounter at St James’ Park because the champions snatched a 3-2 victory after 10-man Newcastle had battled again from 2-0 down.
Van Dijk informed Sky Sports activities: “It’s a dream debut for him. It was an ideal approach. We stayed calm in direction of the tip as effectively, tried to search out the fitting answer in an effort to rating a aim, and we did it. I’m very happy for Rio.”
Liverpool have been second finest for big spells of the sport regardless of targets from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, coming both facet of the dismissal of Anthony Gordon, placing them right into a commanding place.
The sport was performed in a fervent environment which owed lots to Liverpool’s failed try to signal Newcastle’s unsettled striker Alexander Isak.
“Clearly everyone knows it’s a tough place to return, everyone knows there was a variety of oil on the fireplace this week to get, particularly, Newcastle fired up,” Van Dijk mentioned.
“For us, we’re upset to concede from two set-pieces and that shouldn’t occur however, general, it’s an awesome three factors. We transfer on and deal with the subsequent one.”
The Dutchman had little sympathy for Gordon, who was dismissed for a problem on Van Dijk.
On the incident, he mentioned: “I mentioned to him if that’s not a sending off then I don’t perceive soccer. Sadly this stuff occur in soccer. If he meant it or not, it occurred.”
Slot bemoans Newcastle’s strategy
Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot felt Newcastle’s strategy made it tough for the guests.
“I’m not too positive if I noticed a soccer match at this time,” he mentioned. “It was set-piece after set-piece, lengthy throws. It didn’t have lots to do with ways.
“However I preferred lots how we stood robust. It was a really tough first half hour, 45 minutes. We didn’t collapse in any respect and went 1-0 up.
“They taking place to 10 males, you’d anticipate is an enormous plus for us however when a goalkeeper takes each free-kick, there’s not a lot hope in case you are one participant up. That’s why it was so tough to convey the 2-0 over the road.”
Slot was impressed by Ngumoha’s end.
“It was an awesome aim for a 16-year-old,” he mentioned. “It was an enormous likelihood. He can end rather well for his age. How agency his shot was – you don’t see this usually.
“He’s so assured and for him to attain isn’t fully a coincidence, for his age he’s a very good finisher.”
Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe felt defeat was robust on his facet.
Howe mentioned: “It was a bruising recreation for us. There are such a lot of completely different feelings however I used to be actually pleased with the efficiency, actually happy with how we performed – nice vitality, nice depth.
“I used to be actually happy with the next of the gameplan after which adapting, as a result of we go to 10 males and have been the higher staff within the second half in addition to the primary.
“To return away with nothing, and accidents, suspensions and concussions, it’s a reasonably unhealthy day.”
