Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed frustration with Newcastle United’s approach during his team’s dramatic 3-2 victory at St James’ Park, saying he wasn’t sure “a football match” had actually taken place.
Slot’s comments came after 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha scored a stunning 100th-minute winner, capping a chaotic contest in which 10-man Newcastle had rallied from 2-0 down to level the score.
According to Opta, the ball was in play for just 40.8% of the match—the lowest figure recorded in a Premier League fixture since February 2010.
“I’m not too sure if I saw a football match,” Slot told Sky Sports post-match.
“It was set-piece after set-piece, long throws. It didn’t have a lot to do with tactics. But I liked a lot how we stood strong.”
The game was already charged, with tensions running high amid speculation over Alexander Isak’s potential transfer to Liverpool. That off-field drama spilled onto the pitch.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon was sent off just before half-time for a reckless challenge on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, further inflaming the atmosphere.
The contest saw a season-high 32 fouls, underscoring the physical, stop-start nature of the encounter. Despite the disruption, Liverpool maintained composure to secure all three points and preserve their unbeaten start to the campaign.
