Newcastle and Liverpool went head-to-head in a feisty clash at St James’ Park, which saw the Premier League champions earn a last-gasp 3-2 win.
A bad-tempered meeting saw Newcastle control the opening half-an-hour before Ryan Gravenberch suddenly struck and Anthony Gordon was sent off for a poor challenge on Virgil van Dijk moments before half-time.
Hugo Ekitike piled more misery on the hosts – who had failed to convert their earlier chances – as the former Newcastle target doubled Liverpool’s lead only seconds into the second half.
Skipper Bruno Guimaraes pulled one back for 10-man Newcastle, who were the better team for the majority of the game, and they got a deserved equaliser through substitute Will Osula.
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But any hopes of a draw were dashed when Rio Ngumoha hit a stoppage-time winner.
The Isak conundrum
Former Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike scored for Liverpool
Former Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike scored for Liverpool(Owen Humphreys/PA)
Alexander Isak’s ongoing saga with Newcastle was once again the main storyline ahead of the game, with the striker again not included in the squad as he continues to try and force a move away from Tyneside.
Monday night’s opponents Liverpool has been the touted destination for Isak, but Newcastle rejected a £110million bid for him earlier this month and the 25-year-old has since been training alone.
While the Sweden international was still absent, Newcastle came up against a long-term target of theirs in Ekitike, who opted to join Liverpool in a £69million deal last month.
The striker had a quiet first half as the Reds were pinned back, but scored only 20 seconds after the break to double the visitors’ lead.
Red alert for Newcastle
Anthony Gordon was sent off for Newcastle
Anthony Gordon was sent off for Newcastle(Owen Humphreys/PA)
Newcastle’s goalscoring woes took another twist when stop-gap striker Gordon was sent off.
The Magpies’ absence of a recognised striker was apparent as winger Gordon started up-front and had two promising opportunities in the first half, nodding over the bar before having an effort smothered by the Liverpool defence.
However, his sending off came in the midst of an ill-tempered first half and was dismissed following a VAR review for serious foul play after bringing his studs down the back of Van Dijk’s leg.
Former Newcastle captain Alan Shearer expressed his displeasure with a post on X, saying: “What a stupid challenge man. It’s a red card all day.”
Although Gordon was dismissed, Osula’s equaliser gives Eddie Howe food for thought about his striking options, but the Newcastle boss was left with additional selection worries as Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Fabian Schar all came off injured.
Liverpool defence exposed
Kerkez was beaten by Guimaraes
Kerkez was beaten by Guimaraes(Owen Humphreys/PA)
Liverpool were without Jeremie Frimpong due to injury, leaving Dominik Szoboszlai to fill in at right-back alongside central duo Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, with Milos Kerkez at left-back.
Liverpool’s makeshift right-back was faced with a tough task keeping both Harvey Barnes and the lively Tino Livramento at bay, with the Magpie left-back testing Szoboszlai in the 21st minute, skipping past him before having a low cross collected by Alisson.
Szoboszlai made a great intervention to help deny Gordon, but some poor defending after the break saw Kerkez overpowered by Guimaraes as the Magpies pulled a goal back.
Konate was then exposed as Nick Pope’s free-kick whipped over the visiting defence and Gravenberch was beaten by Osula to score.
Stars of the match
Livramento impressed for Newcastle
Livramento impressed for Newcastle(Adam Davy/PA)
Newcastle – Tino Livramento – The Magpies left-back made a number of impressive runs to keep Szoboszlai on his toes and provided a brilliant assist for Guimaraes.Liverpool – Cody Gakpo – on a quiet night for individual starring performances for Liverpool, Gakpo provided two vital assists.