Newcastle United tried a different tactical approach against Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The absence of Alexander Isak forced Eddie Howe to tweak his side, with Callum Wilson coming into the team for his first Premier League start of the season.
That resulted in the Newcastle United manager shifting Anthony Gordon inside, with the Magpies appearing to use a 4-4-1-1 formation with Joe Willock on the left.
The idea was to pack the middle of the pitch, but it did not lead to victory. Newcastle United lost 2-0 to Liverpool, as Arne Slot’s side continued their stroll towards the Premier League title.
Eddie Howe’s decision against Liverpool is questioned
Eddie Howe was frustrated with his Newcastle team, admitting that the players fell short in both boxes at Anfield.
However, Match Of The Day pundit Stephen Warnock has suggested that Howe made a mistake himself with his tactics against Liverpool.
“They tried a different approach, they went with Callum Wilson up front and Anthony Gordon just off him,” he said.
“They tried to pack the midfield with four and go against Liverpool’s three. But what you’ve got to do when you go to Anfield is have an outlet. You’ve got to have players that are going to play wide and stretch the pitch.
“Trent Alexander-Arnold will wander up the field or wander inside. Tsimikas will go down that left side. You’ve got to have an outlet.
“Why not go one-v-one against Trent? Anthony Gordon’s had a field day against him many times. Take him to the cleaners as much as you can, keep running at him.”
Newcastle United wasted Anthony Gordon against Liverpool
Warnock makes a good point. Playing Gordon centrally did give Newcastle an extra body in the middle of the pitch, but it also stifled the Magpies’ ability to hurt Liverpool.
Willock did alright on the left, but he did not cause Trent Alexander-Arnold the problems that Gordon would have.
We have seen in the past how much Alexander-Arnold has struggled against his England teammate, and that felt like the only way that Newcastle could hurt Liverpool when it was confirmed that Isak was absent.
But Gordon rarely got the chance to attack the Liverpool right-back’s side. He was able to do it once, and it almost resulted in Newcastle United scoring just moments after going 2-0 down.
While Howe’s approach at Anfield was understandable, it felt like a mistake.
Hopefully Howe sees the error of his ways and ensures that Gordon is on the left wing against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on March 16th.
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