‘I’m not sure it’s a football match’

Liverpool manager Arne Slot defended his team after their 3-2 dramatic victory against Newcastle United, insisting that they did not collapse despite their abandonment of 2-0 to 10 men.

The Premier League champions seemed to be fully ordered in the 46th minute after Hugo Ekitike doubled his lead after the opening of Ryan Gravenberch and the red card of Anthony Gordon for a reckless fault on Virgil Van Dijk.

But Newcastle has improbably produced a remarkable return, Bruno Guimaraes by half innant the deficit with a header before the replacement William Osula seems to have had the last word by leveling the questions.

Osula, the only recognized center-forward in Newcastle in the middle of the self-imposed exile of Alexander Isak while the star striker tries to force a move to Liverpool, pushed the equalizer to the house two minutes from the end of normal time.

There was a last touch in an already fascinating story in the penultimate minute of 11 minutes of stopping time when Rio Ngumoha, 16, wrapped a superb winner for Liverpool four days of his 17th anniversary.

However, despite the incredible drama that was played in a noisy park in St James, Slot had a curious description of what he witnessed.

“I’m not too sure that it was a football match today,” Sky Sports told Sky Sports. “It was a set piece after a kick, a long throw after a long throw.

“We did not collapse and we stayed strong. We did not play well on the ball. I don’t think there is so much open game.”

On the wonderful winner of Ngumoha, Slot added: “It was an excellent goal for a 16 -year -old child. Rio can finish so well for his age.

“I heard someone say after in the locker room, he would have taken a first touch but he is so confident. For his age, he is a very good finisher. ”