Newcastle United rue missed opportunity against Liverpool as Anfield hoodoo continues
Anthony Gordon put Newcastle ahead after a stellar 35 minutes before an implosion saw the game turn on its head.
If Newcastle United could have a Premier League season where they did not have to visit Anfield they would surely accept. The Magpies have not won a top flight game in the red half of Merseyside since 1994. In some seasons, the trip to face Liverpool has felt like a case of just keeping the score down.
This year, Newcastle have certainly had their struggles away from home in the Premier League, and yet, buoyed by a superb draw at the Parc des Princes in midweek against Paris Saint-Germain, there was a slight sniff of confidence.
Liverpool have not had a good season themselves, and with a defence that was missing some key names, this was an opportunity for the Magpies. Ultimately though, it would become an opportunity not taken - again.
The 4-1 scoreline at full time looked like an emphatic Liverpool win, but in honesty it flattered them. They took their chances and capitalised on Newcastle’s mistakes, but they were fortunate to not be out of the match in the opening stages.
Eddie Howe sent Newcastle out to harry and hassle Liverpool, and they did, putting the vulnerable home defence under pressure. Having hit the post through Harvey Barnes, and not converted a string of corners and crosses, Newcastle finally took the lead thanks to the right foot of Anthony Gordon. The former Everton player found the bottom corner to compound the concern inside the stadium from the home fans.
It was a well-deserved lead, but such has been the story of the season for Newcastle, taking the lead has been the catalyst for implosion. On this occasion, the same occurred. Within five minutes Liverpool had equalised, and very soon after that it was 2-1 to the Reds, Hugo Ekitike with both goals.
Liverpool’s striker latched onto a Florian Wirtz cross for his first, before slotting home an effort on the counter attack for his second, where Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw could and probably should have closed the French forward more quickly. Ekitike’s efforts were applauded with a wry smile by the injured Alexander Isak from the sidelines, which is strange considering how difficult Isak will likely find it to force his way back into the Liverpool side when he returns.
From a Newcastle perspective, they could probably have done with a fit and firing Isak in a game like this where they had been on top early on. The Swede, of course, made his decision to leave in the summer though, which at present has not benefitted either club.
The second half saw Newcastle again come out of the traps, looking to get back on level terms. The goal did not come though, and Newcastle were punished by Wirtz who made it three. That was the killer blow, but the Magpies continued to try and force their way back into the game.
In the end, a goalkeeping error from Nick Pope allowed Ibrahima Konaté to score Liverpool’s fourth in stoppage time, and leave Newcastle ruing what could have been a memorable night for them given their performance in the first 35 minutes.
Such is Newcastle’s season, there is no let up for Eddie Howe’s men. They next travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi final. With the aggregate score 2-0 in Manchester City’s favour, Newcastle have a mountain to climb. Fatigue will be creeping in, but the Magpies have no time to feel sorry for themselves.