Another captivating chapter in a Premier League match that consistently delivers was written during Liverpool’s last-second victory over Newcastle.
After Anthony Gordon opened the scoring at St. James’ Park, Virgil van Dijk was dismissed from the game, giving Jurgen Klopp’s team a goal and a man advantage.
The visitors didn’t get another chance at goal until the 81st minute, but they took advantage of it and avoided suffering their first loss of the year.
Darwin Nunez took advantage of Sven Botman’s inability to successfully clear a difficult pass before launching his shot off the post and into the corner of the goal.
In the third minute of extra time, Nunez scored again, slipping the ball past Nick Pope to give Liverpool a 2-1 triumph that seemed unimaginable 45 minutes before.
Unsurprisingly, Liverpool’s stunning triumph on Tyneside taught us a lot of valuable lessons.
The evolution of Darwin
Where better to start than with Liverpool’s star player, who is garnering attention despite making his debut in the 77th minute?
In contrast to the Uruguayan forward’s erratic performance in front of goal during his first season at Anfield, Nunez’s goals were successful finishes, strikes that more conventional goal scorers like Harry Kane or Robert Lewandowski would be pleased of.
Due to Klopp’s preference for calmer forwards like Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, Nunez has had to wait for his opportunity this season, but Gary Neville thinks Nunez has advantages over his contemporaries.
“I’d much rather play Gakpo.” Neville said to Sky Sports, “I’d rather play against Jota than Darwin Nunez.”
He’d scare the hell out of me if he ran off my shoulder. The speed with which he moves, the way he moves… You may not always have the punch to knock out your opponents though if you are unable to finish.
He will develop into a very interesting player for Liverpool if he keeps adding punch like he has today.
The Beck-sed only
Nunez deserves praise for his effort, but if it weren’t for Liverpool’s goalkeeper’s outstanding play, the game would have been over before the two-goal hero even entered the field.
Alisson Becker recorded the most saves in a Premier League game on Sunday afternoon with seven.
Even though not all of them were difficult, he shown class by saving Miguel Almiron’s fierce shot late in the first half, a save that was being considered for save of the season honors by one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history.
We’re just in the third week of the season, but Shay Given, a former Newcastle player, said: “That’s probably one of the saves of the season.”
Given continued, “He’s unquestionably one of the finest in the world. Liverpool has evolved significantly over the previous five years, and he is one of the main reasons. “He and Van Dijk have been key players in Liverpool’s success over the last five years.”
How did you do that?
Liverpool needed Alisson’s assistance to stay in the game, and perhaps the manager of Newcastle gave Liverpool an inadvertent helping hand that allowed them to go back in.
Gordon’s harassment of Reds right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was illustrated by Newcastle’s goal; the former Everton attacker profited on his fellow Scouser’s inability to hold the ball before sprinting in and scoring.
Gordon had Alexander-Arnold on toast at times in the first half, forcing referee John Brooks to make a crucial early call after being taken down by the Liverpool player after skinning the ball past him.
Eddie Howe chose to put some fresh legs into Newcastle’s attack just minutes before Liverpool equalized, hooking off Gordon as well as Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali.
Nunez’s first goal came from nowhere, but Newcastle were not the same following these alterations, which Howe may now regret.
Tindall mocked
On the subject of hands, an early gesture from Howe’s assistant, Jason Tindall, would come back to bite him at full time.
In an effort to soothe Klopp, who appeared agitated by how the game was developing, Tindall was observed.
On the other hand, when his team pulled off the incredible comeback, Klopp was the one grinning.
With cameras around, Tindall may think twice about his future actions on the pitch after his snapshot ignited a frenzy among those wanting to criticize him on social media.
Time to get merry!
These kinds of triumphs make supporting your side worthwhile, and Alexander-Arnold described the win as one “for the ages” following the game.
However, it’s clear that Liverpool still has several weaknesses in its starting lineup despite the pleasure of a last-second victory.
In the middle of the field, Wataru Endo had a forgettable start, and Liverpool’s defense appeared shaky. Van Dijk was caught goalside by Alexander Isak before committing the foul that led to the Dutchman’s early exit.
With less than a week till the transfer deadline, the Reds are still far from being a legitimate contender for the major trophies this season. They have had multiple setbacks in the transfer window.
