A late brace from Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez ensured all three points returned to Anfield.
Bill Shankly’s Liverpool lifted their second FA Cup trophy after beating Newcastle United 3-0 at the old Wembley back in 1974. It was the legendary manager’s last match in charge of the Reds.
With the Magpies’ recent, rather sudden, rise up the Premier League table, the expectation among the club is that they will be competing alongside the likes of Liverpool for major honours in the coming years – just like that final in 1974.
The objective for Liverpool in 2023/24 is simple and clear. Improve. Last season’s 5th-placed finish by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. One of the sides they were competing with for that position was Newcastle United, who pipped Liverpool to 4th.
After a draw at Stamford Bridge and a win against Bournemouth, Liverpool have started the campaign in good stead, and hoped to continue that at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle United may feel they have a score to settle with the Reds, with the Magpies without a win against Liverpool since a 2-0 victory in December 2015.
And they got off to a dream start, as a misplaced pass from Mohamed Salah into Trent Alexander-Arnold fed through to former Toffee, Anthony Gordon, who made no mistake punishing the lacklustre start from the Reds.
Events went from bad to worse when Virgil van Dijk’s challenge on Alexander Isak was deemed to be a red card offence. And just like Alexis Mac Allister last weekend against Bournemouth, Liverpool had lost a player and had to see out the game with ten men.
Alisson’s heroics were called into action yet again as the Brazilian shot-stopper made an incredible save to deny Newcastle United’s Miguel Almiron. Despite trailing, Liverpool stayed in the game.
A new ‘super sub’ was born at St. James’ Park. Darwin Nunez’s introduction was the kick up the arse needed. The Uruguyan striker, frustrated by being left on the bench, scored two – close to identical – goals with the latter in the third minute of added time.
It was originally known as ‘Fergie time’ due to Manchester United’s ability to score last-minute winners during the tenure of Sir Alex Ferguson. It may be more appropriate to coin the term ‘Klopp time’, or even ‘Klopp-age time’ which has a nice ring to it.
From seemingly nothing, Liverpool were walking away from Newcastle with all three points. Two wins and a draw from their opening three games and there is a sense of optimism around the campaign ahead.
There are still glaringly obvious weak points that Liverpool need to address. Wataru Endo’s first start for the club can’t be scrutinised too closely due to the fanatical nature of the game. But that doesn’t clear away the ongoing rumours surrounding more additions to the squad in the final week of the transfer window.
Liverpool’s next challenge will be hosting Aston Villa at Anfield without their captain Virgil van Dijk. Joel Matip may partner Joe Gomez in the heart of defence if Ibrahima Konate’s injury stretches to another week of absence.
Newcastle United team: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman (Targett 87), Burn, Tonali (Longstaff 72), Guimaraes, Joelinton (Anderson 82), Almiron, Isak (Wilson 72), Gordon (Barnes 72).
Liverpool team: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip (Quansah 77), Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Endo (Elliott 58), Mac Allister (Nunez 77), Salah, Gakpo (Jota 58), Diaz (Gomez 33).
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