Liverpool suffered a setback in the Premier League title race as they conceded a 90th-minute equaliser in their thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Wednesday at St James’ Park.
Newcastle were much the stronger side during an underwhelming first half from Arne Slot’s men, with Alexander Isak’s thunderous long-range effort punishing a sloppy Liverpool display.
The Reds responded quickly after the break as Curtis Jones equalised with a smart finish but Anthony Gordon side-footed Newcastle back into the lead shortly afterwards.
Mohamed Salah’s double seemed to have wrapped up another important victory for the Reds but Fabian Schar’s wonderful late effort denied Arne Slot’s men victory on Tyneside.
How the game unfolded
Liverpool smothered Manchester City with a lightning quick start on Sunday afternoon but the absence of the roaring Anfield crowd saw the Premier League leaders struggle to find their swagger in the early stages at St James’ Park.
However, Liverpool didn’t need to be at their blistering best to trouble Newcastle‘s goal, with Alexis Mac Allister coming close to breaking the deadlock. The World Cup winner’s first effort was turned around the post by Nick Pope and the midfielder’s subsequent strike from the resulting corner clipped the frame of the goal.
Newcastle also flexed their attacking muscles early doors and themselves struck the woodwork midway through the first half. Salah was robbed of possession in his own half and a quick counter-attack ended with Jacob Murphy flashing a low drive off the outside of the post.
Newcastle continued to knock on the door as the half wore on and deservedly took the lead in the 35th minute. The indefatigable Isak produced the moment of inspiration, collecting a pass from Bruno Guimaraes, shimmying away from Virgil van Dijk and rattling a turbo-charged strike beyond Caoimhin Kelleher.
Liverpool had been uncharacteristically sloppy in possession as they struggled to handle the intensity of Newcastle’s press and the home side should have doubled their advantage just three minutes after their opener. Joe Gomez’s weak back pass was pounced upon by former Everton winger Gordon, who slammed his effort straight at Kelleher.
The visitors refused to allow the disappointment of the first half to affect them and swiftly produced a much-needed equaliser after the half-time whistle. Salah’s clever pass picked out Jones as he burst into the penalty area and the in-form midfielder lifted an excellent first-time strike into the roof of the net.
Much like Newcastle in the first half, Liverpool should have grabbed a second just several minutes after scoring their first. Cody Gakpo’s header rolled agonisingly across the goal line after Pope was caught in no man’s land and Darwin Nunez found himself inches away from sliding into an empty net at the far post.
Liverpool’s inability to grab a second proved costly just after the hour mark as Newcastle restored their lead. The Reds were enamoured with the prospect of signing Newcastle’s Gordon over the summer and the Liverpudlian showed exactly why as he jinked past Gomez and prodded beyond Kelleher.
Liverpool refused to lay down, however, forging another equaliser six minutes after Gordon’s effort. Substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold made an immediate impact as he found space in the final third, picking out Salah with a near-post cross. The Egyptian made no mistake to continue his impressive goalscoring run.
Salah thought he had produced the winner for Liverpool in the final ten minutes as he ruthlessly slotted beyond Pope, but an excellent late effort from Newcastle defender Schar following Kelleher’s error saw the Reds drop points in their bid to be crowned Premier League champions.
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Much like his teammates, Salah struggled during an underwhelming first half for Liverpool. He rarely bested the energetic Lewis Hall and was guilty of gifting possession back to the home side a tad too regularly.
However, Newcastle know better than anyone that you can’t keep Salah down. The Egyptian stood tall in the second half as Liverpool needed a catalyst, with an excellent assist providing the Reds with their first equaliser of the evening.
Salah’s battles with Hall became increasingly one-sided in his favour and two typically ruthless finishes ensured that Liverpool left St James’ Park with something to show for a tough night’s work.
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The brilliance of Salah couldn’t completely cover for an uncharacteristically shocking defensive performance from the league’s sternest defence. Jarell Quansah came into the side at right-back and Joe Gomez started centrally as injuries forced changes.
Quansah endured a mixed evening on the right side of defence and was defensively competent but unconvincing in possession. Gomez struggled up against the insatiable Gordon and Isak and was skinned far too easily for Newcastle’s second of the evening.
The usually flawless Kelleher was also out of sorts. He arguably could have done better for both of Newcastle’s opening goals – especially the second – before completely misjudging a cross that allowed Newcastle a late equaliser.
It was an off night for Liverpool’s defence, with mistakes and rotation proving costly for the league leaders.
There’s a reason that Liverpool were desperate to sign Gordon over the summer. The former Everton winger has consistently shown his quality on Tyneside but saved one of his best performances of the season for an interested audience.
Gordon’s intensity was infectious and he often led the press for Newcastle as they regained possession from Liverpool errors. Both Quansah and Gomez struggled to keep him at bay during the first and second half, with Gordon producing a typically impressive goal for Newcastle’s second.
Darting in behind and then beating Gomez with little fuss, the Newcastle winger’s effort squirmed under Kelleher as he roared in celebration in front of the St James’ Park. Talk about putting yourself back in the shop window, even if he has recently signed a new deal.
