Newcastle United took on Liverpool in a much-hyped Premier League encounter and here are five things we learned from the stormy clash at St James' Park.
Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan at the Liverpool game
Newcastle United produced a stirring comeback with 10 men against Liverpool only to end the game empty-handed after a heartbreaking injury-time winner for the champions.
Newcastle had been reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time after Anthony Gordon saw red, and trailled 2-0 to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike. However, a stunning passage of play saw them draw level after goals from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula, only for Liverpool's 16-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha to win it in the 99th minute.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
PIF need transfer statement
Yasir Al-Rumayyan watched on calmly from the stands, an interested observer as the chaos unfolded around him. By the end, though, he had to get involved, striding down to the pitchside for the final whistle.
The Newcastle chairman was also at the last home Premier League clash, the final fixture of last season when Champions League qualification was secured despite a defeat against Everton. He was on the pitch joking and laughing with the players, Alexander Isak included. All looked rosy at the end of a campaign that saw Newcastle end their 56-year wait for silverware.
It has unravelled quickly. Eddie Howe had warned immediately after that game that speed was of the essence in recruitment. Talks with Al-Rumayyan and the board were held but within days, sporting director Paul Mitchell had announced his departure. The rest of the summer is well documented.
Any appearance by Al-Rumayyan feels important, but this one had added weight. The obvious online speculation claimed that he was at the match to thrash out with Liverpool the terms of Isak's transfer. More likely, talks have been held with the player and his representatives.
But if anything, it was the show of support at the final whistle that was particularly instructive. Now PIF need to make a transfer statement of their own, perhaps not in words but deeds. The Isak situation needs clarity. At least one incoming must also be sealed before the deadline passes.
Al-Rumayyan will have heard what fans want and seen with his own eyes the huge void in the team. The pressure is now on him and the board to deliver in the last seven days of the transfer window.
Goals change games
Speaking of which, just hours before kick-off, news broke that Newcastle had slapped in a £50m bid for Jorgen Strand Larsen. Wolves rejected the offer out of hand, although the Magpies are understood to be willing to return with improved terms.
One thing the club is keen to stress, however, is that Strand Larsen wouldn't be a replacement for Isak. Instead, the Norweigan is earmarked as the man to take over Callum Wilson's role. The 25-year-old is highly-rated at St James' Park having only joined Wolves in the summer after his loan spell was made permanent.
Strand Larsen hit 14 goals in the Premier League last season. No Newcastle player - other than Isak - hit double figures, emphasising why Howe and his staff are eager to add extra firepower to the squad. Goals were shared around last season, with Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy all weighing in with nine across all competitions, but finding two strikers who can hit double figures in a season remains crucial for United's continued success.
The Liverpool game illustrated the issue perfectly. Newcastle had an incredible spell of play around the half-hour mark but couldn't capitalise. Goals change games and the champions made them pay. From being the better side, United were suddenly rocked and flustered.
With Gordon now suspended for three games, the need for a new striker is even more pressing. Osula's cameo will do him the world of good but Newcastle need more experience and class.
Newcastle lose their heads
There was always a danger that emotion would spill over, given everything that had been written and said in the build-up to this game.
Arne Slot spoke about Newcastle's intensity and physicality before the match. With the crowd roaring them on and the decibel level increasing with every tackle, it was no surprise that the home players were straining every sinew to hassle and get close to their opponents.
In a white-hot atmosphere, however, cool heads are also needed. Newcastle, unfortunately, lost theirs. They'd had a couple of early warnings - Joelinton was fortunate to escape a booking inside the opening seconds when he clattered Cody Gapko with a high boot; Sandro Tonali the same after a challenge on Florain Wirtz.
Once Liverpool went ahead, United got flustered, losing their shape and composure. Seconds before Gordon's late tackle on Virgil van Dijk, Dan Burn went into the book after twice taking a swipe at Salah.
Gordon can have no complaints about his red card. it perhaps wasn't malicious but it was reckless and the marks down the back of Van Dijk's calf told the story. It was a mad 10 minutes or so which ultimately cost Newcastle.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool shows the injury after a tackle by Anthony Gordon
Tino Livramento's new weapon
The first new addition to the Newcastle staff this summer was set-piece coach Martin Mark and he cut an engaged figure on the bench in the second half as the home side piled on the pressure.
It wasn't pretty at times, with a directness to Newcastle play but with a man light and perhaps a weakness identified in the heart of Liverpool's defence, it was an effective tactic.
Tino Livramento again impressed with his defensive display against Mo Salah and also as an overlapping full-back, particularly in the first half, and he has an added weapon to his game. Newcastle utilised the full-back's long throws to great effect, with the England man aiming for Dan Burn and Joelinton who caused panic inside the Reds' defence.
Mark darted out of the dugout at one point to tell Kieran Trippier to put the ball down, instead calling Livramento over from the other side of the pitch to hurl another missile into the penalty box.
Newcastle's first goal came after a thrown wasn't cleared, the ball recycled and Livramento crossing again for Bruno Guimaraes to head home. It's a weapon that could be seen more often this season.
Isak sees Wor Flags message
Monday night under the lights at St James' Park is always a wonderful occasion. One that the Magpies usually rise to, as well.
Previously, Newcastle had only lost twice in 22 encounters in the Premier League when the TV cameras had turned up. A famous one against Manchester United in March 1996 when Peter Schmeichel and Eric Cantona put a huge dent in Kevin Keegan's title hopes.
You had to fast forward to last season to find the next Monday night home defeat. November 25, 2024 seems like an eternity ago. A lot has changed since that 2-0 loss against West Ham, no more so than for Isak. That evening, Wor Flags paid homage to the Swedish striker with a stunning display in his honour, doubling up with an Alexander the Great banner and at the opposite end of the ground, sheets spelling out his name in yellow letters with a blue background.
Isak took to Instagram after the game to tell of his pride. He wrote: “Very disappointing result last night. However I want to take my time to thank @worflags and the fanbase for this incredible experience walking onto the pitch and see this! Truly overwhelming and a moment I will never forget."
There was little emotional outpouring from the United faithful towards the striker this time around. The only chants came from the away end. Wor Flags again pulled out all the stops. though with the banner reading: "Nothing is achieved alone. We are a city. A whole population. We are Newcastle United."
Isak, watching at home, may take heed of this message too.