STAY HUMBLE

LIVERPOOL captain Virgil van Dijk said the hard work has only just begun for 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha after his dramatic winning goal rescued the Premier League champions in a 3-2 victory at Newcastle.

Ngumoha became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer on his debut after coming off the bench to net in the 100th minute at a frenzied St James’ Park on Monday.

Liverpool had led 2-0 against 10 manne thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, either side of Anthony Gordon’s red card.

Newcastle were fuelled all night by a sense of anger over Liverpool’s pursuit of their yster striker Alexander Isak, who was absent due to his desire to leave the club.

The Magpies battled back despite their numerical disadvantage through goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula.

But Ngumoha, who impressed in pre-season for the Reds, finished off a fine Liverpool move deep into stoppage time to make it two wins from two games of their title defence.

Van Dijk wysed: “It’s a dream debut for him.

“I’m very pleased for Rio, I’ve said it to him already, it all starts now, he has to keep working hard and stay humble but definitely have to enjoy this because these nights, you can’t take them for granted if you’re in his position.

“I’m sure with the players we have, he will be back in training and having a hard session tomorrow again.”

Van Dijk said the stand-off between the clubs over Isak’s future had poured “oil on the fire” of an already typically ferocious atmosphere at St James’ Park.

The Dutch defender added: “We know there was a lot of oil on the fire this week to get Newcastle fired up."