Liverpool suffered a setback in the Premier League title race as they conceded a 90th-minute equaliser in their thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Wednesday at St. James Park.
Newcastle dominated the first half with Alexander Isak running the show. The Swede overcame fitness concerns to fire a powerful strike past Caoimhin Kelleher and give the hosts a well-deserved lead.
Liverpool were flat and had work to do at the break, but whatever Arne Slot said to his players did the trick. From out of nothing, Mohamed Salah’s pass picked out Curtis Jones, who swept the ball past Nick Pope for the equaliser.
Antony Gordon restored the home side’s lead in the 62nd minute with a pass from Isak.
However, Slot’s men were not done yet. Substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold set up Salah twice to put Liverpool ahead.
It looked like the Reds would go on to win the tie until Newcastle defender Fabian Schar somehow popped up with a last-gasp equaliser.
He slotted home from the tightest of angles in the 90th minute after Kelleher, who had an awful outing, misjudged the flight of a Bruno Guimaraes cross to settle another Premier League classic between the two foes.
The pair will clash again at Anfield on February 26, and fans looking to witness another epic showdown can cop Liverpool vs Newcastle United tickets on Seatsnet.com, the premier ticket marketplace for securing a place at the hottest sporting events.
Season progress
Under manager Eddie Howe, Newcastle are still in a tight race for a European spot. They are only six points away from Manchester City in fourth place.
The Magpies are 90 minutes from a semi-final place in the Carabao Cup and still have the FA Cup to look forward to. Those are the cold facts of the season so far.
Sven Botman is also due back soon, providing a welcome boost for the defence, and the January transfer window is just around the corner, meaning they can plug squad holes.
They want to be in one of the European slots in the league table, and if they can deliver performances like this consistently, nothing can stop their ambitions.
As for Liverpool, Slot has built on the strong foundation laid by Jurgen Klopp, providing continuity and ensuring the transition has been almost seamless.
No team in Premier League history with at least a six-point lead after 13 games has failed to win the title, and many believe that the race is already a foregone conclusion as the Reds continue to sweep aside foes, left, right and centre.
They have only lost once this season after 14 games so far (W11, D2) and won seven out of their last eight games in all competitions.
Expectations for the remainder of the season
Newcastle entered the season expecting a top six finish, but a slow start has left them 12th, with just five wins from 14 games (D5, L4).
However, with plenty of time remaining, they can aim to surpass their 71-point tally from 2022/23. The less demanding schedule should aid in securing deeper runs in cup competitions.
They have a chance to make up for their defeat in the 2023 League Cup final. They are into the quarter-finals and will face Brentford on December 18, looking to push and snag a trophy for the first time since 1955.
Liverpool are firmly in the driving seat in the Premier League title race – but there is still a long, long way to go, and with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City breathing down their necks, they must be looking over their shoulders.
The Merseyside team experienced a setback on Wednesday night when they were held to a draw by Newcastle, which narrowed their lead at the summit to seven points.
They must ensure that such slip-ups do not become a recurring issue in their upcoming league matches, particularly in the away games against Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham Hotspur, as these teams have proven to be tricky opponents for them.
The Reds are still actively competing in all competitions this season, so there is optimism that they can finish the season with a quadruple.
Areas for improvement ahead of their next meeting
Salah’s brilliance on the day couldn’t cover for an uncharacteristically shocking defensive performance from the league’s sternest defence.
Jarell Quansah was deployed at right-back due to injuries with Joe Gomez in central defence. They had a mixed performance.
Gordon and Isak tortured the pair relentlessly. Even the more experienced pair of Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson looked sheepish sometimes.
Quansah struggled in possession and cleared the ball when he needed to show composure. They missed Ibrahima Konate, and ahead of their February 26 clash, Liverpool must improve defensive balance and eliminate lapses.
Meanwhile, Howe must be wondering what magic spell he has to cast to get his team to perform as they did against the Merseysiders consistently.
Before the Liverpool clash, they had dropped unnecessary points against two struggling teams, first losing to the abysmal West Ham United before a drab 1-1 draw with a Crystal Palace side stuck in the relegation zone.
Howe needs to get his side to build on this result and start firing on all cylinders as they bid to close in on a top four spot.
January transfer window plans
Newcastle spent the summer transfer window pining for defensive recruitment but failed to land first-choice target Marc Guehi. Howe will likely be keen on adding another defender to his squad despite the team having a decent rearguard.
More importantly, they need a right winger who can replicate the impact of Gordon and Harvey Barnes on the left.
They have been linked with several options like Bryan Mbeumo and Johan Bakayoko, but nothing has materialised. This January, they may need to revisit the position.
They also need a creative spark in midfield. Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton are all fantastic operators, but they need someone to poke holes in the opposition’s backline, setting Isak free.
As for Liverpool, Darwin Nunez’s performance in the Newcastle game was all the indication the club needs to count their losses with the Uruguayan and find a replacement.
They are typically very active in January, having signed Luis Diaz and Virgil Van Dijk on other occasions. The Reds must repeat the trick with a striker this winter.
Liverpool still need that new number six despite Ryan Gravenberch shining in a deeper role, and they need to do all within their power to convince Martin Zubimendi to move to Merseyside. A new centre-back would also bolster the backline.
