Fortunate to be just one behind at half-time, Liverpool scored three wonderful goals in the second half yet failed to win what became a pulsating 3-3 draw at St James’ Park on Wednesday night. Caoimhin Kelleher, usually so reliable, made a 90th minute error, cancelling out what looked likely to be the winner from Mo Salah, who scored a second-half brace.
Liverpool were sloppy and ‘not at it’ in the first half, as Newcastle swarmed all over them, finding themselves behind from a wonder strike by Isak, the rasping 70mph shot, whistling past Kelleher. In truth, it was the minimum the home side deserved. First to everything, better with and without the ball, they never let Liverpool settle. Snapping into every challenge, whilst with three Liverpool players soon on yellow cards, including Alexis Mac Alister, who’ll now miss this weekend’s Merseyside derby, Liverpool lacked any cohesion.
Ryan Gravenberch looked particularly vulnerable in possession, but he wasn’t the only one in red not at the required level. Arne Slot undoubtedly got in to them at the break, but surprisingly made no changes to the eleven. Liverpool needed to match Newcastle’s aggression and, with more intensity, a superb finish from Curtis Jones into the roof of the net brought his side level. Yet another assist from the mercurial Egyptian, finally giving the travelling Kop something to shout about.
Parity though didn’t last long. Former Evertonian Anthony Gordon, who’d given both Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah a difficult time all night, slot the ball past Kelleher, despite the Irishman getting a hand to the shot. Behind once more, up stepped Salah. First he finished with his right foot from a tight angle, before putting his team ahead, completing his brace after once again receiving the ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold, one of three changes made just after the hour by Slot.
Salah’s first goal was cute, his second stroked into the corner of the net in a crowded penalty box, following a first touch that was world class. Teeing himself up, before swivelling to finish with the sort of calm demeanour only the very best posses.
It was the 90th minute as the game kicked off with Liverpool ahead, and the game looked won. Another Premier League game between two teams who attacked relentlessly in the second half and so often serve up a classic, and there was one more twist. Kelleher misjudging a far post cross from a free-kick, as the rain lashed down at St. James’ Park. Withdrawing his hand as the ball appeared to be sailing out of play, only for Schar to slide in behind him. A quite remarkable finish from a ridiculously tight angle.
So Liverpool drop league points for the first time since drawing away at Arsenal, who in beating Manchester United, have trimmed the lead at the top to seven points. Slot, so obviously disappointed with the game’s finale, was gracious enough to concede that a draw was probably a fair result in his post-match comments. Perhaps more significantly, he stated that he ‘hopes and expects’ to see more from Salah in the future, which would indicate contract talks are not only on-going, but may well be concluded very soon.
