27 August 2023 , 19:00
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Jurgen Klopp ran onto the pitch at the final whistle and hugged every Liverpool player he could lay his hands on.
It was the most incredible fightback by Liverpool’s heroic ten men as Darwin Nunez broke Newcastle hearts with the most dramatic finish to an absolute rip-roaring classic. And if ever Mo Salah needed convincing to stay at Liverpool rather than take the riches of the Saudi Pro League, then here were so many reasons.
Newcastle will be wondering how on earth they lost a game they led for so long, especially after seeing Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk sent off after just 28 minutes. But they had not banked on Liverpool’s fight and passion which undoubtedly was driven by a growing, intense rivalry with Newcastle which at times threatened to boil over.
That is why the whole Liverpool bench ran onto the pitch to celebrate Nunez’s 81st minute leveller and they went crazy at the sight of the supersub’s injury time winner. It was a sensational game from start to finish, full of controversy and drama even if Liverpool’s protests about van Dijk’s red card were hard to understand.
It was a clear foul on Alexander Isak, it was the clearest of denials of a goalscoring opportunity and van Dijk may find himself in further trouble with the Football Association after a foul mouthed rant at referee John Brooks. Trent Alexander-Arnold was also lucky not to be sent off and that only served to fire up the passion in this game which which lasted until the bitter end.
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There is not much love lost between the two benches - Klopp’s rivalry with Newcastle No2 Jason Tindall is wonderfully childish - as Newcastle are going places under Eddie Howe. But it is clear that Klopp is not ready to roll over and surrender. Liverpool clearly have issues - including a gaping hole in central midfield they are struggling to fill - and what might be a painful and lengthy rebuild at Anfield.
Darwin Nunez celebrates his winning goal against Newcastle (Getty Images)Who do you think was man-of-the-match in Liverpool's win over Newcastle? Share your thoughts in the comments below
But no matter who pulls on the red shirt, fight and determination is a given. Nunez, now wearing the No9 shirt this season, provided two sensational finishes but it was also about the never-say-die spirit. Liverpool substitutes Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota came on and helped change the course of the game while Andy Robertson’s celebrations with Klopp epitomised what it meant to the players and how hard they fought.
Newcastle will also curse themselves for not getting the all-important second goal and, incredibly, they have not beaten Liverpool since since December 2015, a run which now stretches back 15 games. It looked as if that would change after the opening half an hour. Alexander-Arnold was harshly booked for kicking the ball away, referee Brooks then bottled giving a far more obvious second yellow when the Liverpool full back blatantly blocked Anthony Gordon.
But soon afterwards, Gordon got revenge. Alexander-Arnold allowed Salah’s pass to run under his foot, Gordon raced clear and slotted past Liverpool keeper Alisson to give Newcastle a 25th minute lead. Three minutes later, it got worse for Liverpool. Van Dijk blatantly fouled Alexander Isak who was bearing down on goal. Van Dijk was furious but it was a clear red and Liverpool had to play with ten men for more than an hour.
Newcastle had big chances. Alisson pushed Miguel Almiron’s shot onto the bar, Almiron also hit the post and yet the home side could not kill Liverpool off. Slowly, Liverpool came back. They refused to give up. They levelled after 81 minutes when Salah and Jota combined, Sven Botman did not clear and Nunez raced through before finishing in emphatic style.
Liverpool then snatched the most dramatic of winners. Salah slipped Nunez through again and the Uruguay striker finished in the most dramatic fashion.