Newcastle United produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance as they eventually succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Newcastle United took the lead 25 minutes in when the ball rolled under Trent Alexander Arnold’s foot and Anthony Gordon latched onto it, before racing through on goal and sliding the ball past Alisson Becker.
The Newcastle fans had more to cheer when Virgil van Dijk was shown a straight red card for tripping Alexander Isak when the Newcastle man looked to be through on goal.
Eddie Howe will have been delighted with his side’s efforts at the break.
However, Liverpool battled to stay in the game and struck back twice in the final ten minutes as Darwin Nunez fired into past Nick Pope into the bottom corner on two occasions.
Here’s how the Newcastle players rated:
Nick Pope – 6
Flapped at a few crosses in the first half and didn’t look as comfortable and composed as usual throughout, but couldn’t do anything about either of Nunez’s strikes.
Kieran Tripper – 5.5
Was unable to exert his influence on the game for an extended period, and Newcastle missed his creativity and ability to recycle possession in the second half as Liverpool grew into the game.
Fabian Schar – 6
Was unable to maintain the structure of the back four after Botman went off.
Sven Botman – 6.5
Great sliding block on Salah in the second half and was largely solid throughout, before hobbling off injured with only a few minutes of the match to go. Howe will be desperately hoping the centre-back isn’t seriously hurt. His touch that led to Nunez nicking the ball and running through for Liverpool’s equaliser was poor.
Dan Burn – 5
Was poorly positioned and beaten for pace for both of Liverpool’s goals in a final 15 minutes that the £13 million defender will long to forget.
Sandro Tonali – 7
Showed his class again, and pressed opposition players relentlessly, showing he has the tenacity to match his technique. Howe’s side lost control of the match with his removal in the 72nd minute.
Bruno Guimaraes – 6
Glided around the pitch with the ball at his feet at times, and produced some exquisite touches, but didn’t do enough to help Newcastle control the game and dictate the pace of play at crucial moments.
Joelinton – 7
Worked tirelessly in midfield to repeatedly regain possession, and showed just how important to this Newcastle side he is.
Miguel Almiron – 6
Hit the post with a fierce strike in the second half and found himself in dangerous positions but the final ball was missing.
Anthony Gordon – 8
Brilliantly taken goal and a live-wire throughout, Gordon tested Trent Alexander Arnold persistently. A day when he showed exactly why the Magpies paid £45 million to sign him from Everton in January.
Alexander Isak – 7.5
Made countless clever runs that pulled the Liverpool defence in all directions, one of which caught out van Dijk to the extent that the usually unflappable Dutchman could only bring him down unfairly.
Substitutes:
Callum Wilson – 5.5
Harvey Barnes – 6
Sean Longstaff – 6
Elliot Anderson – 5.5
Matt Targett – 5.5
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