Van Dijk's message for teen star: 'Stay humble and work hard'

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 champion in a 3-2 victory over Newcastle.

Ngumoha became the club's youngest ever goalscorer on his debut after coming off the bench to net in the 100th minute on Monday.

Ngumoha, who impressed in preseason for the Reds, finished off a fine Liverpool move deep into stoppage time to make it two wins from two games in the champion's title defense.

"It's a dream debut for him," said Van Dijk. "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 has 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 again tomorrow."

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.

"We all know it's a difficult place to come. We know there was a lot of oil on the fire this week to get Newcastle fired up," added the Dutch defender.

"What happened tonight was expected and, for us, the disappointing part was that we conceded two set pieces. That shouldn't happen, but overall great three points."

Defeat leaves Newcastle with just one point from its opening two games and with a striker problem to resolve before the window closes in a week's time, unless Isak can be convinced to stay with the Magpies and return to training with Eddie Howe's squad.

"I think (it was) a great performance from the players, both the first and second half in very different ways," said Howe. "First half, I thought we dominated the game. We were in a great place with just the goal missing. Second half, we had a mountain to climb at 2-0 down with 10 men, but I thought we controlled the game.

"I thought we were really good and fought our way back unbelievably well, but couldn't get over the line to get a point."

AFP