Jamie Carragher could not contain himself as Liverpool snatched a 100th-minute winner at St James’ Park, with footage of his euphoric reaction in the Sky Sports studio going viral on Monday night.
The former Liverpool defender leapt out of his seat, punched the air and repeatedly shouted ‘Oh my God!’ after teenage winger Rio Ngumoha slid home the decisive goal to seal a 3-2 victory.
Carragher then turned towards his fellow Monday Night Football colleagues in disbelief and asked: ‘Is this the greatest game in Premier League history?’ before retreating off camera.
It was a moment that summed up the chaos of a thunderous evening on Tyneside, where Liverpool, despite having a man advantage for the entirety of the second half after Anthony Gordon’s red card, threw away a two-goal lead handed to them by Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike.
Newcastle had staged a spirited comeback, with Bruno Guimaraes pulling one back and substitute William Osula grabbing an 88th-minute equaliser, sparking jubilation inside St James’ Park.
But the champions refused to be denied, and Ngumoha’s strike in the final seconds sealed the points.
Jamie Carragher was unable to control himself after Liverpool snatch a dramatic winner against Newcastle
Teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha netted the winner in the 100th minute to maintain the Premier League champions’ perfect start
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Carragher’s reaction became as much a part of the night as the goal itself. The clip has since gone viral, showing him leaping up in the studio, arms flailing as he shouted ‘Oh my God’ before slumping back into his seat in disbelief.
For Newcastle, the defeat was another painful blow in a summer already dominated by turmoil.
Alexander Isak, their star striker, remains on strike in a bid to force a move to Liverpool and presumably watched from home after releasing a bombshell statement last week accusing the club of ‘broken promises’ and a ‘loss of trust’.
Newcastle rejected a £110million offer from the champions earlier this month and have so far been unable to find the reinforcements that would allow them to contemplate his sale. Co-owner Jamie Reuben and a PIF delegation even visited Isak at his home in Northumberland ahead of the game in an effort to persuade him back into the squad.
But with bids for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa falling short, Eddie Howe’s side look increasingly stretched. Club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was present to witness the latest setback, and pressure is mounting as the transfer window ticks down.
For Arne Slot’s Liverpool, the dramatic win was another statement of intent in their title defence, sealed by a 16-year-old who looks destined for stardom. The winger’s match-winning contribution saw him become the Reds’ youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer.
