Alan Pardew says one man is to blame for Newcastle losing to Liverpool

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has given his verdict on the substitutions Eddie Howe made against Liverpool.

With 72 minutes on the clock at St James’ Park, Newcastle United found themselves in a fantastic position against Liverpool. They were one goal up, and Liverpool were a man down, following Virgil van Dijk’s first half red card.

At this stage in the game, Eddie Howe made a triple substitution. The Newcastle boss brought off Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak, and Anthony Gordon. Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson, and Harvey Barnes took to the field in their place.

Following this change, the Magpies began to lose control of the game. Momentum swung in Liverpool’s favour, and two late goals from Darwin Nunez secured a remarkable comeback win for the Reds, leaving Howe in despair.

Howe may well feel he only has himself to blame for the defeat. Gordon was playing brilliantly, causing plenty of problems for the Liverpool defence, and had scored the goal to put the Tyneside outfit ahead.

Isak had also been a menace to Jurgen Klopp’s men, and was providing a constant outlet for his teammates. Equally, Tonali had been one of the best players on the pitch, dictating the pace of play and maintaining Newcastle’s control.

Pardew says Howe is to blame for Newcastle loss

Taking this trio off made no sense. Alan Pardew, who was in charge of the club for four years between 2010 and 2014, certainly believes that Howe cost his side with this call.

Speaking on TalkSport after the match, Pardew said, “he will be kicking himself, Eddie. He’ll got into the little room after where you have a little drink with the other manager but usually you go with your staff. But he’ll look at that and think ‘I can’t believe it’ and he’ll blame himself and I’m sure he’ll blame himself to the players as well and hold his hands up.”

Howe and Newcastle are on a journey together. He has taken the club back in to the Champions League, and will be coaching in that competition for the first time himself this season. He has restored the club to the elite level, and has plenty to learn about operating at that standard himself.

Howe, who earns £58,000-per-week, has earned the right for the club to afford him patience as he adapts to managing a Newcastle side coping with the weight of expectation on them for the first time in many years.