Roy Keane loved Newcastle United’s physicality against Liverpool, but did have a problem with one thing Eddie Howe’s players were doing.
It was a real battle on Monday night, as Newcastle lost 3-2 to Liverpool courtesy of a 100th minute goal from Rio Ngumoha.
Newcastle United gave everything to the game, feeding off the intense energy of the St James’ Park crowd.
It went too far, however, with Anthony Gordon sent off for an incredibly poor challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
But that is not where Roy Keane’s problem lies.
Roy Keane takes aim at Anthony Gordon after Newcastle United vs Liverpool
Speaking on the latest episode of the Stick To Football podcast, Keane was not happy with the way Newcastle United players were going down easily against Liverpool after being so physical themselves.
The former Manchester United midfielder picked out Anthony Gordon as an example, before questioning why the 24-year-old apologised so much after his red card.
“Isn’t football mad,” he said.
“Newcastle were kicking Liverpool all over the place, getting stuck in. There’s nothing wrong with that, physicality. Then anyone touches any of the Newcastle players and they were rolling around.
“Gordon is a prime example. You look at Gordon and he falls over. Then he is running around kicking everybody and apologising afterwards. I didn’t mean it. Well what were you doing?
“Of course it was a bad one [on Van Dijk]. What’s the point in apologising after.”
Jamie Carragher did not like Newcastle United’s ‘get into them’ message
While Keane had no problems with Newcastle getting stuck in against Liverpool, Jamie Carragher thought it went too far.
The former Liverpool defender also took issue with the banner Wor Flags displayed before the game. As the players entered the pitch, they were met with a message of ‘get into them’ in the East Stand, which is a banner that has been used regularly inside St James’ Park.
It is one that Eddie Howe loves, but Carragher took issue.
“As clubs, you’ve always got to use something to add a little bit of something to the game,” he said.
“Liverpool are going for Isak. We know what it was about.
“It went too far. A banner in the crowd, get into them. Someone who is part of the ownership at Newcastle put it on social media. Let’s get into them.
“Use something like the Isak situation to give an extra edge. But I am sat there thinking Liverpool have just made a bid for a player. What else is it.”
There will not be anyone of a Newcastle United persuasion concerned by what Carragher has said. Newcastle were right to lean into the atmosphere, relying heavily on the crowd to give them an edge against the Premier League champions.
A lot has gone on this summer. The Isak situation has boiled over, but it is more about the player than the interest from Liverpool. Newcastle wanted to send a message of unity and togetherness, and they did that on Monday despite losing.
But Liverpool gave as good as they got physically. They put in strong challenges of their own, in what really was a breathless Premier League encounter.
Carragher may not have liked Newcastle’s ‘get into them’ banner, but it will not be the last time it is used at St James’ Park. As Eddie Howe says, his side are here to compete.
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