Newcastle United’s return to the Premier League ended in failure as Liverpool came from behind to win 4-1 at Anfield.
The Magpies are currently 16 points adrift at the top of the league table, having kept just two clean sheets in their last 17 games.
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Eddie Howe’s side got off to a good start but two goals from Ugo Ekitic within two minutes of half-time left Merseyside with nothing.
Howe left Newcastle without a true striker, although he named three forwards in the squad for the first time in at least five years, starting Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga on the wings. The strategy almost paid off within the opening half hour. Barnes’ free kick hit the post and Newcastle’s pressing caused trouble for the home team.
Gordon’s persistence paid off in the 36th minute. Joe Willock broke down the left and found Barnes on the edge of the box. The ball fell to Gordon and he fired a low shot past Alisson for his first Premier League goal in a year. Believe it!
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Liverpool were struggling to break down Newcastle’s compact midfield and were visibly upset after falling behind, but unfortunately their response was swift and ruthless.
Florian Wirtz and Ekitikai combined to equalize, with the French forward converting Wirtz’s pass into the back of the net. Ekitikai doubled the lead less than two minutes later, racing down the left and finishing behind Malik Thiaw, who somehow decided he would rather watch the Frenchman toy with him and failed to stop him.
The game remained open in the second half. Newcastle pushed forward looking for an equalizer but Liverpool found more space and were full of confidence. Barnes forced Alisson into a fine save, while Ekitike almost completed a hat-trick by capitalizing on a Newcastle error.
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Instead, Wirtz added Liverpool’s third goal alongside Mohamed Salah, with substitute Ibrahima Konate sealing the result by scoring from Nick Pope’s late error.
Howe’s strikerless approach disrupted Liverpool early on, but Newcastle’s questionable tactics faded away as the game progressed and the Magpies failed to capitalize on their chances at crucial moments.
The defeat leaves the Geordie side mid-table in 10th place, six points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, and extends their long winless run at Anfield.
Next, Newcastle United will face Manchester City away from home in the second leg of the League Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, with the two teams trailing 0-2 on aggregate.
