Daniel Wales reports from a raucous St. James’ Park as Liverpool win late on against Newcastle United, despite the home side having fought back from two-goals down to level the game with ten men. This comes with Newcastle United’s hierarchy present amidst the ongoing Alexander Isak saga.
00:01Late, late heartbreak for Newcastle United, as the club's hierarchy watched on with key decisions still to make.
00:08It was a night of emotions here at St James' Park, fuelled of course by the ongoing Alexander-Izac saga.
00:15And whilst the Swedish striker continued to be absent, Newcastle showed their grit and determination on the pitch,
00:22fighting back from two goals down with ten men to level the game at 2-2.
00:26Then, the late Liverpool winner that followed was a bitter pill to swallow for Eddie Howe's sides,
00:31and if they'd had a full complement of players for the full game, or indeed an elusive No. 9 leading the attack,
00:38the scoreline may well have told a different story.
00:41The crowd certainly played their part and almost spurred their team on to an unlikely point.
00:46Not to be though, with Liverpool's killer instinct showing why they are the champions.
00:51Let's go back to the start of the evening to see how events unfolded on Tyneside,
00:57and what they could mean for the future of Newcastle's No. 14.
01:03St James' Park was a cauldron, with that magic transferred onto the pitch as Newcastle dominated the opening minutes.
01:10Just as a goal looked to be coming though, Liverpool hit with a sucker punch through Ryan Gravenberg to give them the lead.
01:16Then came a rush of blood to the head from Anthony Gordon, who cleaned through Virgil van Dijk.
01:22The initial booking was upgraded to a red card after VAR review.
01:27The second half had barely started when Liverpool made it to Hugo Eketike slotting home at the Leeser's end.
01:33And yet, despite the adversity, Newcastle kept pressing and found a route back into the game via their captain, Bruno Guimaraes.
01:40Then came injuries. Joe Linton, Sandro Tonali and Fabian Shah all departed.
01:45But, with time running out, William Osula sprang from the shadow of Alexander Isaac to equalise.
01:52Ultimately though, Newcastle's numerical disadvantage would cost them,
01:56as deep into stoppage time, youngster Rio Ungamua was left unmarked in the box and drove the ball home.
02:02For Eddie Howe, pride was the overriding emotion, but updates on Isaac remained scarce.
02:08Yeah, very mixed feelings, I think.
02:12I thought it was a great performance from us.
02:14Wasn't perfect, of course, but it was very good in the first half.
02:19Very dominant, very us, really.
02:22High-octane, front-foot football.
02:25The only thing missing in that really strong start to the game, or middle period of the first half, was goals.
02:31Conceded a poor goal, first time in the game, really, where we're not quite aggressive enough.
02:36And then the second half was, of course, a very different game, a very different plan,
02:40but really well executed by the players, in spite of the fact we went 2-0 down and right at the start of the second half.
02:47Massive challenge for us.
02:48So I can't fault the players at all.
02:51I thought they gave so much to the game.
02:54Absolutely gutted for them that we have nothing to take from it.
02:58I've not been party to talks on this for a long time now, so I've been preparing the team, giving all my energy to the players that want to play for Newcastle.
03:07I think that's where my energy is best at the moment.
03:11Liverpool boss Arnie Schlott admitted his side were fortunate to claim the win.
03:15Yeah, we needed a goal, but the best part for me of our game was after we've conceded the 2-2.
03:23It was also their best part of the game, but what I mean with that is I think they've got three or four corner kicks after they scored the 2-2.
03:3015 throw-ins, 112 free kicks.
03:32Not as many as I'm saying, but it felt as if it was so much.
03:37Yeah, it's of course special for him to score a goal in a moment like this.
03:41We know how it feels last season.
03:43We've conceded a free all in an extra time, I think 89 minutes.
03:48And now we were the lucky ones because that's what we were.
03:52We were lucky to get a win over the line over here.
03:55With Anthony Gordon now suspended, Newcastle may ramp up attempts to bring in a Callum Wilson replacement.
04:01Before the Magpies travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United in their next game.
04:06Or they could, of course, opt to start goalscorer William Asula.
04:10Concerns will surround Joe Linton, Sandra Tonali and Fabian Shaw, who were all forced off with injury.
04:16Although Newcastle's squad depth did aid them on this occasion.
04:19As for Isak, well, reports suggest that the Swede has had meetings with some of the club's owners.
04:25Whether that leads to a quick resolution remains to be seen.
04:28But with only days left in the transfer window, some ending will have to come eventually.
04:35Here at St James' Park, though, it was Liverpool who won later on.
04:39But a strong message sent by Newcastle United.
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