Got it — that’s a long and detailed match recap. I’ll rephrase it into a cleaner, professional-style article while keeping the key drama, flow, and insights intact. Here’s a rewritten version:
Liverpool Edge Newcastle in Fiery Clash Marked by Drama, Red Cards, and a Teenage Hero
With speculation around Alexander Isak’s transfer still dominating headlines, Monday’s Premier League meeting between Newcastle United and champions Liverpool was destined to be a high-stakes affair. What unfolded at St. James’ Park was part grudge match, part showcase — and ultimately one of the season’s most thrilling encounters so far.
From the opening whistle, Newcastle fed off the raucous home atmosphere, pressing Liverpool relentlessly and creating the better chances despite the Reds edging possession. Anthony Gordon, deployed as a striker in Isak’s absence, tormented Liverpool’s back line early, driving at Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté to carve out space for teammates Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga.
But Newcastle’s energy boiled over just before halftime. After a reckless, studs-up challenge on van Dijk, Gordon saw his initial yellow card upgraded to red by VAR. Compounding the setback, Ryan Gravenberch had already put Liverpool ahead in the 35th minute with a deflected strike from distance.
Things went from bad to worse seconds into the second half. New signing Hugo Ekitike doubled Liverpool’s lead with a near-post finish past Nick Pope, seemingly putting the game out of reach. Yet, instead of folding, Newcastle fought back with ferocious intensity. Bruno Guimarães rose above Milos Kerkez to head home Tino Livramento’s cross in the 57th minute, sparking belief in the crowd. Then, in the 88th minute, William Osula pounced on a Konaté error to level the score at 2–2, capping an astonishing spell of pressure from the 10-man hosts.
Liverpool looked rattled, unable to register a single shot for nearly the entire second half. But in stoppage time, 16-year-old debutant Rio Ngumoha became the unlikely hero. In the 99th minute, Mohamed Salah slid a cutback across the box, Szoboszlai cleverly dummied, and Ngumoha curled a stunning finish into the far corner — sealing a dramatic 3–2 win for the visitors.
The game ended with a brief scuffle but no further fireworks. For Liverpool, it was three vital points secured in unconvincing fashion, though their fragile defense will be a concern ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Arsenal. For Newcastle, the loss will sting bitterly: even down a man, they had the champions on the ropes, and questions linger over how different the result might have been with Isak available — or had Gordon not lost his composure.
Still, as far as the first “Isak Clasico” goes, it delivered everything: controversy, chaos, and a teenage debutant writing himself into Premier League folklore.
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