Newcastle United's players' performance lived up to the famous Newcastle supporters' motto: "We don’t demand a team that wins, we demand a club that tries."
If we were to lose, losing in that fashion - to come back into the game from 2-0 down with 10 men, to the 24/25 Premier League winners Liverpool - is the way to do it.
Background
At the very last minute, I managed to sort a ticket for the game against Liverpool, a seat in the Gallowgate no less.
I used to have a season ticket in the Leazes end with my dad, until he cancelled them - without giving me a choice - in Rafa Benitez' last season in charge.
Although I still feel aggrieved at this decision, you can't blame people for having had enough at that time, as the football was terrible. It got so bad that Newcastle were practically giving away season tickets on cereal boxes.
Ever since losing the season tickets, I still try and get to every home game, and I can source around 7-8 tickets every season.
Luckily, yesterday (August 25) was one of those days and it was a privilege to bear witness to the game.
Any match-going fan will tell you that it's a different experience being at the game - Newcastle vs Liverpool was a prime example of that sentiment in reality.
The atmosphere
I got into St James' 30 minutes before kick off, and you could feel the magnitude of the occasion slowly building to a crescendo, which first occurred when the players began walking out before hitting the apex at kick off.
Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and co-owner Jamie Reuben in the stands ahead of kick-off.Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and co-owner Jamie Reuben in the stands ahead of kick-off. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire) Wor Flags' famous tifos adorned the stadium, breathing even more life into the Newcastle fans and players alike.
It was one of the loudest atmospheres I've ever heard at St James' Park; the support behind Newcastle was immense, which was coupled by a ferocity that met the Liverpool team, who were booed and jeered every time they touched the ball.
The game
The Newcastle players, buoyed by the palpable atmosphere which was generated by the fans after so much pre-match talk regarding a certain striker's future, started the game firmly on the front foot.
Meaningful chances were created and squandered for Newcastle - Anthony Gordon's effort from an Anthony Elanga cross particularly stood out.
It was Liverpool, though, who, against the run of play, took the lead in the 35th minute when Ryan Gravenberch’s speculative 25-yard strike, which took a slight deflection of Fabian Schar, caught an unsighted Nick Pope flat-footed as it sped into the bottom corner.
Newcastle's task grew much larger when, in the first half stoppage time, after a VAR review, Gordon was shown a straight red card for a foul on Virgil Van Dijk.
Anthony Gordon walks after being shown a red card.Anthony Gordon walks after being shown a red card. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire) Gordon has since come out to apologise for the foul via his Instagram, where he wrote: "I want to sincerely apologise to my team-mates and the fans. My intentions were pure. I was just trying to create energy in the game, and I mistimed the tackle.
"More importantly, I’m so proud of the time I spent on the pitch and how we played tonight. The atmosphere from you all is what makes SJP so special. I love everything we stand for as a club and no more than right now."
The atmosphere took a slight dive after Gordon's early bath before being burst entirely, when 23 seconds into the second half, former Newcastle transfer target Hugo Ekitike calmly slotted past Pope.
Although looking down and out at this point, the Newcastle players rallied and were rewarded for their efforts in the 57th minute when Bruno Guimaraes met an excellent Tino Livramento cross to steer past Liverpool goalkeeper Allison.
This moment reignited the home fans, who grew louder and louder until the final whistle.
Momentum then swung in favour of Newcastle, which led to William Osula capitalising on a Pope ball over the Liverpool defence, to poke past Allison.
With goal stoppages, player injuries, substitutions and Liverpool time wasting, the fourth official announced an almighty 11 minutes of injury time.
At this moment, 10-man Newcastle looked the more likely side to snatch the win.
Cruelly, against the run of play, 16-year-old Liverpool prodigy Rio Ngumoha, having only come onto the pitch four minutes earlier, announced himself to the Premier League by smashing a pull-back pass into the top right-hand corner in the 10th minute of injury time.
Liverpool's newest prodigy, 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, celebrates putting the Reds in front.Liverpool's newest prodigy, 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, celebrates putting the Reds in front. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire) Newcastle 2 Liverpool 3 - full time.
Review
Although certainly not the result Newcastle wanted, it's a performance that bodes well for Newcastle's season.
With all of the unrest surrounding the club this summer regarding Alexander Isak, it was a welcome display of togetherness amongst the players.
Coming back from 2-0 down with 10 men against the Premier League champions is no mean feat.
The game was on a knife-edge at 2-2, and although it didn't go the way of Newcastle, it shows how far we have come since Eddie Howe was appointed, that we can get back into games that we would undoubtedly have gone on to lose 4, 5 or even 6 nil previously.
Considering the trials and tribulations Newcastle have dealt with this summer, one point from six against Aston Villa and Liverpool isn't all that bad.
As long as the performances are there, the results will come.
With it not looking like an Isak replacement will come and Liverpool currently not meeting Newcastle's valuation, I'm almost convinced the Swede will be a Newcastle player come the end of the transfer window.
With the man-management skills Howe has, it wouldn't surprise me if he is reintegrated and again successful for Newcastle.
Regardless of Newcastle's number 14, the club still needs to sign a Callum Wilson replacement and fast.
Despite the club's astute deals in the transfer market, going into a Champions League season with just two recognised strikers in Isak and Osula is asking for trouble.
William Osula celebrates tying the match at 2-2.William Osula celebrates tying the match at 2-2. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire) I'm not hopeful Newcastle will have a new forward in before their away trip to Leeds United this Saturday (August 30). If previous windows are anything to go by, expect Newcastle's striker hunt to continue until the dying embers of the summer transfer window.