2-3 – Newcastle United and Liverpool do some commercial...

When it comes to football trips to Newcastle United, the roof – metaphorically – blows off. A fantastic atmosphere at St. James' Park and the Toon Army pushed reigning champions Liverpool FC to the limit in the second Monday Night Game of the new 2025/26 season. 0:2, 2:2, 2:3 (0:1) in stoppage time – a game like a promotional film for the Premier League. 

It was the 88th minute when an incredible roar erupted through St. James' Park. Manager Eddie Howe’s team had just equalized 2-2 through William Osula – after a goal kick assist from keeper Nick Pope – despite being down to ten men following the red card for their only available striker, Anthony Gordon (45 + 2 / reckless foul on Virgil van Dijk). And they kept pushing forward relentlessly.

From personal experience I can say: Football trips to Newcastle United are worth it. A lively, centrally located stadium, friendly and welcoming people – and this season also features the Tyne and Wear Derby against arch-rivals AFC Sunderland. 

But the final word – as so often since the summer of 2024 and their brilliant title-winning season – belonged to Liverpool FC.

Football trips Newcastle United: Don’t miss out

Substitute Rio Ngumoha (90 + 10) scored the 3:2 after an assist from Mo Salah. It was LFC’s second last-minute winner in two matches. Against AFC Bournemouth (4:2), the Merseysiders had delivered just as much drama.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot did something you should never do at St. James’ Park: miss a single minute. The Dutch title-winning coach came out of the dressing room late – and missed his team’s 2:0 goal by Hugo Ekitiké (46.).

Afterwards, however, Liverpool seemed to stop playing, and Bruno Guimaraes’ 1:2 (56.) turned the match into a spectacle.

Fans on the match-winner: “Arne Slot owes Rio Ngumoha a beer”

It’s exactly matches like this that make Premier League football trips so worthwhile: open attacking play, fighting until the very last minute – that’s what brings joy to football. 

Thanks to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool came out on top. The youngster came on in the sixth minute of added time for Cody Gakpo, who had delivered two assists. 

That he naturally became Liverpool’s youngest goalscorer of all time amused fans in the forums. “Arne Slot owes Rio Ngumoha a beer – once he’s old enough to drink one…”, wrote Matt Ladson on X (formerly Twitter). Cheers!

Newcastle United: Who will replace star striker Alexander Isak?

Both clubs made the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Newcastle striker Alexander Isak fade into the background during this thrilling match.

The Swede, who scored 23 goals for the Magpies last season and also helped secure their first title in 70 years (EFL Cup winners vs. Liverpool, 2:1 at Wembley), still wants to leave Newcastle for Anfield before the summer transfer window closes.

According to Kicker Sports Magazine (issue dated August 25, 2025), Newcastle United is demanding a (new) Premier League record fee of 174 million euros for Isak. 

The centre-forward, who also once played for Borussia Dortmund, had recently stopped training with Eddie Howe’s team. 

After Gordon’s red card, Howe’s pre-match prediction came true: “We certainly won’t go through the season without a real striker, but I also don’t believe anyone can fill Alex’s shoes.”

The Dutchman Gakpo was one of the few bright spots in Liverpool’s defensively careless team. After 35 minutes, he assisted his compatriot Ryan Gravenberch for the 1:0 and then Ekitiké’s goal in the 46th minute. 

The first chance of the match, however, went to the most expensive signing in Premier League history: German international Florian Wirtz, who cost 135 million euros, after 13 minutes.

Signed from Bayer Leverkusen, Florian Wirtz failed to score from the edge of the box after a pass from Ekitiké – his shot was saved by Newcastle’s goalkeeper Pope. 

The German prospect gave an interview to Kicker on the day of the match, where he spoke about his first games at Anfield: “The fans are very close to the pitch and know all the songs by heart. Especially the anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone. I could feel all over my body that it’s something special when you’re standing in the middle and the whole stadium around you is singing this song. It gives you something extra before the match.” True.

When does Liverpool FC play Arsenal FC?

The clash between champions and runners-up is the next Premier League highlight before the first international break. Liverpool will host the Londoners on August 31, 2025 at Anfield. 

When is the first Merseyside Derby of the new season?

Liverpool FC vs. Everton FC – this derby will see The Reds return to home action on September 20, 2025, after the international break. 

However, their first match after the international week in September will be an away game at Burnley FC.