Newcastle players and fans alike were left stunned by Darwin Nunez’ two late goals as 10 man Liverpool walked away with all three points in an event laden game on Sunday afternoon.
By the time Nunez entered the fray with 13 minutes remaining, the three points looked like they were heading only one way and it wasn’t back to Merseyside.
But fine margins and excellent finishing from the Uruguayan changed all that and a jubilant Jurgen Klopp will be well chuffed that his decision to throw Nunez on paid off.
Eddie Howe meanwhile is probably still scratching his head and asking what he did wrong in those final 13 minutes plus 5 added on.
The game started at a breakneck pace, and it was no surprise when the first booking came as early as the 6th minute when Trent Alexander Arnold reacted to not getting a free kick following a robust challenge from Anthony Gordon by throwing the ball back onto the pitch. Referee John Brooks immediately showed Trent a yellow card but whether it was for dissent or timewasting was anyone’s guess, including Brooks himself no doubt.
Gordon was proving to be a problem for Liverpool and in particular Alexander Arnold who was lucky not to receive a second yellow for a pull back on Gordon bringing him only a stern warning from the referee.
In the 25th minute Gordon put Newcastle into the lead when he latched on to some poor control by Alexander Arnold and broke free to slot the ball past the advancing Allison in the Liverpool goal.
Three minutes later and another through ball saw Isak break free only to be brought down by Virgil van Dijk who was rightly presented with a straight red card.
With Liverpool down to 10 men only an amazing double save by Allison from a bullet of a shot by Almiron prevented Newcastle doubling their lead in the 35th minute. Allison’s reaction save was followed by not one but to attempts to clear the ball as he forced the ball wide for a corner.
By now Newcastle were in complete control and that control continued into the second half and the game should have been out of Liverpool’s reach when Almiron saw a fine shot hit the inside of the post and rebound out, another effort clearing the bar.
Substitute Harvey Barnes, on for the ever-dangerous Gordon then broke clear but hit his shot straight at Allison when a simple side pass to Callum Wilson would have presented the England International with a simple tap in from 10 yards.
Liverpool had shown very little in the previous 77 minutes but the introduction of Nunes and the withdrawal of Salah into a deeper role proved to be Newcastle’s undoing and when he slotted in his second goal in the dying minutes the smash and grab was complete.
Not taking your chances proved to be Newcastle’s downfall and then need to be more clinical with their finishing if they are to capitalise on the flowing fluid football that they produce, especially at home.
By the time Nunez entered the fray with 13 minutes remaining, the three points looked like they were heading only one way and it wasn’t back to Merseyside.
But fine margins and excellent finishing from the Uruguayan changed all that and a jubilant Jurgen Klopp will be well chuffed that his decision to throw Nunez on paid off.
Eddie Howe meanwhile is probably still scratching his head and asking what he did wrong in those final 13 minutes plus 5 added on.
The game started at a breakneck pace, and it was no surprise when the first booking came as early as the 6th minute when Trent Alexander Arnold reacted to not getting a free kick following a robust challenge from Anthony Gordon by throwing the ball back onto the pitch. Referee John Brooks immediately showed Trent a yellow card but whether it was for dissent or timewasting was anyone’s guess, including Brooks himself no doubt.
Gordon was proving to be a problem for Liverpool and in particular Alexander Arnold who was lucky not to receive a second yellow for a pull back on Gordon bringing him only a stern warning from the referee.
In the 25th minute Gordon put Newcastle into the lead when he latched on to some poor control by Alexander Arnold and broke free to slot the ball past the advancing Allison in the Liverpool goal.
Three minutes later and another through ball saw Isak break free only to be brought down by Virgil van Dijk who was rightly presented with a straight red card.
With Liverpool down to 10 men only an amazing double save by Allison from a bullet of a shot by Almiron prevented Newcastle doubling their lead in the 35th minute. Allison’s reaction save was followed by not one but to attempts to clear the ball as he forced the ball wide for a corner.
By now Newcastle were in complete control and that control continued into the second half and the game should have been out of Liverpool’s reach when Almiron saw a fine shot hit the inside of the post and rebound out, another effort clearing the bar.
Substitute Harvey Barnes, on for the ever-dangerous Gordon then broke clear but hit his shot straight at Allison when a simple side pass to Callum Wilson would have presented the England International with a simple tap in from 10 yards.
Liverpool had shown very little in the previous 77 minutes but the introduction of Nunes and the withdrawal of Salah into a deeper role proved to be Newcastle’s undoing and when he slotted in his second goal in the dying minutes the smash and grab was complete.
Not taking your chances proved to be Newcastle’s downfall and then need to be more clinical with their finishing if they are to capitalise on the flowing fluid football that they produce, especially at home.
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