Max Dowman response to Rio Ngumoha's Liverpool heroics sums up Arsenal wonderkid

Arsenal starlet Max Dowman heaped praise on fellow youngster Rio Ngumoha after the 16-year-old's stunning winner on his Liverpool debut against Newcastle as he labelled him as "the best".

Ngumoha was the hero for Liverpool on Monday night as he popped up with a spectacular winner in the dying minutes of stoppage time to secure a 3-2 win at St James' Park after the 10-man Magpies had come from 2-0 down.

Ryan Gravenberch had rifled Liverpool into the lead before Hugo Ekitike added a second after the break. Despite Anthony Gordon's red card, Newcastle came back to level after goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula - before Ngumoha swept his effort into the corner at the death.

The teenager rescued Arne Slot 's side from what would have been a disappointing result and his strike underlines his exciting potential after he chipped in with a handful of goals during pre-season.

He is one of many outstanding young talents to emerge this season along with Dowman, who also made his debut for Arsenal this week at the age of 15 and 235 days in the 5-0 win over Leeds.

Like Ngumoha, Dowman had a quick impact after coming on as he dazzled with the ball at his feet before winning a penalty for Arsenal's fifth and final goal.

And after watching Ngumoha's heroics on Monday, Dowman reserved praise for his close friend as he posted a picture of his goal and celebrations at St James' Park with a caption that simply read: "The best."

Dowman and Ngumoha know each other well from their time together playing for England's youth teams, including for the Under-16 and Under-17 sides.

Dowman also raved about his international team-mate earlier this month after watching him score for Liverpool in a pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao, making another social media post as he labelled him "the coldest".

Ngumoha will be hoping to build on his sensational goal with more minutes under Arne Slot and his manager, who hailed the youngster's finishing ability after the game.

"It was a great goal for a 16-year-old," he said. "Rio can finish so well for his age. I did hear someone say afterwards in the dressing room he would have taken a first touch but he is so confident. For his age he is a really good finisher."

Slot will have been disappointed with the way Liverpool surrendered their 2-0 lead against a team with ten players, but said he was pleased with his side's fighting spirit.

"I'm not too sure it was a football match today," he added. "It was set-piece after set-piece, long-throw after long-throw. We didn't collapse and stood strong. We didn't play well enough on the ball. I don't think there was so much open play. But we showed incredible character and kept fighting until the end."

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