Eddie Howe has been reflecting on Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3.
A brilliant match and one where it would have been a travesty if United had lost it.
Yet it took an incredible 90th minute finish from Fabian Schar to earn a point.
Newcastle deservedly took the lead, twice, only for Liverpool to show why they are so many points clear at the top.
A draw probably just about fair but if anybody deserved to win then it was Eddie Howe and his players.
Which may indeed have happened, if not for the referee choosing to blow his final whistle as Newcastle United counter-attacked into Liverpool’s half and had a three on two situation…
Eddie Howe talking after Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3:
Eddie Howe asked about certain decisions from the match officials:
“I was surprised by the final whistle because I think we’d spent around two minutes on a free-kick in extra-time, so I was expecting seven minutes to be played.
“I think it was 5.15 when he has blown, so that was a blow because it looked like we were in a good position.
“I think VAR looked at [the Virgil van Dijk bodycheck on Anthony Gordon in the first half] and concluded nothing happened, so we have to accept it. I was surprised by it initially though.
“I thought it was a penalty on Alex (Isak) but I haven’t seen a replay, that was just an initial thought.”
Eddie Howe on ‘our best this season’:
“How do I feel?
“Positive.
“That was much better from us.
“You know that with the quality Liverpool have off the bench, we could have an issue and that is what happened.
“But our mental quality came to the fore and we got the equaliser.
“We had chances to make it 2-0, we scored three goals and looked dynamic and energetic.
“I am really proud.
“We went toe-to-toe and matched them, it’s our best of the season.
“Our game plan was to be ourselves which is difficult against a team like Liverpool, it’s a delicate balance.
“Alexander Isak was really good tonight, if we get our players firing we are some team.”
Eddie Howe on ‘mixed emotions’:
“It was mixed emotions [after the final whistle].
“Part of me feels we should have won it, a big part of me.
“But part of me is pleased we didn’t lose either, as it was such a late goal for us.
“Generally, I’m just pleased with the performance.
“There was much more attacking output, a much better feel about the team.
“There was much better energy and it was a really good performance against, for me, the best team we’ve played so far this season in the Premier League.
“So, it was a big jump forward for us.”
Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3 – Wednesday 4 December 7.30pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United :
Isak 35, Gordon 62, Schar 90
Liverpool:
Jones 50, Salah 68, 83
Possession was Newcastle 41% Liverpool 59%
Total shots were Newcastle 17 Liverpool 16
Shots on target were Newcastle 6 Liverpool 5
Corners were Newcastle 5 Liverpool 6
Touches in the box Newcastle 21 Liverpool 35
Newcastle United team v Liverpool :
Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali (Longstaff 87), Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 88), Gordon (Wilson 87), Isak, Jacob Murphy (Barnes 74)
Unused subs:
Dubravka, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Kelly
(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Very interesting on Newcastle United after Liverpool draw – Read HERE)
(Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
(WOW! Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3 – Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:
Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Weekend of Saturday 11 January – Newcastle v Bromley TBC
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)