Newcastle vs Liverpool score, highlights, result as Nunez double gives Reds late Premier League comeback win
Newcastle vs Liverpool score, highlights, result as Nunez double gives Reds late Premier League comeback win
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Darwin Nunez struck twice in 13 minutes to complete an extraordinary comeback and give Liverpool a late 2-1 win at Newcastle United as their unbeaten start to the season continued in the Premier League.
Newcastle were dominant following Anthony Gordon’s 25th-minute opener — capitalising on a mistake by Trent Alexander-Arnold — and the dismissal of Reds centre-back Virgil van Dijk for fouling Alexander Isak as the last defender in the 28th minute.
Visiting goalkeeper Alisson produced a sensational save to turn Miguel Almiron’s thunderous shot against the woodwork shortly after the hosts went ahead, and the Paraguay attacker also hit a post in the second half as Liverpool failed to have a shot on target for 53 minutes following Van Dijk’s departure.
That changed when Nunez, who had come on four minutes earlier, picked up a ricochet off Sven Botman, charged inside the penalty area and drilled a fierce, precise low finish past Nick Pope and in off a post with nine minutes remaining.
More improbable drama arrived when Bruno Guimaraes gave possession away, Mohamed Salah fed Nunez with a perceptive pass beyond Dan Burn and the forward fired another ruthless finish beyond Pope to settle a pulsating, occasionally chaotic game with three minutes of added time played.
Van Dijk was furious with referee John Brooks for handing the Netherlands international the second red card of his Premier League career, protesting that he had not fouled Isak in an incident that compounded Liverpool’s misery at going behind.
Gordon gave Alexander-Arnold a difficult afternoon, tormenting the right-back with his mazy runs either side of pouncing when his marker allowed a routine pass to roll under his foot and give the former Everton player a clear run on goal.
Clearly implored to keep testing the booked Alexander-Arnold after the break, Gordon was one of several Newcastle players who will rue missed chances before Nunez’s introduction, Almiron also blazing his finish over the crossbar when he had ample space inside the penalty area.
Substitute Sean Longstaff’s backheel could have restored Newcastle’s lead but for Alisson’s reflexes, and Eddie Howe’s side were denied penalties by VAR checks when Alexander Isak was brought down and Andrew Robertson blocked a shot with his back during the second half.
Liverpool are back in action next Sunday, when they host an Aston Villa side who made it two victories in a row since losing at Newcastle by winning at Burnley earlier in the day.
Newcastle will attempt to recover from their second defeat of the season when they visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The Sporting News followed the match live and provided updates and highlights below.
Newcastle vs Liverpool result
1st half 2nd half Final Goal scorers
Newcastle 1 0 1 Anthony Gordon (25)
Liverpool 0 2 2 Darwin Nunez (81, 90 +3)
Starting lineups:
Newcastle: Pope (GK) – Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn – Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Almiron
Liverpool: Alisson (GK) – Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson – Endo, Mac Allister Szoboszlai – Luis Diaz, Gakpo, Salah
Nunez goals rescue Liverpool against Newcastle
The holders of the longest current unbeaten run of any Premier League team looked to be in for a stern test straight away at St James’ Park, where there was an early warning of the problems to come when Alexander-Arnold was booked for throwing the ball away following a robust challenge from Gordon and risked being sent off for another indiscretion not long afterwards.
Just as they had against Bournemouth eight days earlier, Liverpool fell behind to an early goal – but Newcastle seemed far better placed to win the game and end a wait to beat Newcastle that has lasted since December 2015, spanning 13 matches and nine defeats.
“We didn’t start the game well,” conceded Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports after appearing enraged for much of the proceedings and perhaps finding himself as surprised as anyone during Liverpool’s celebrations on the pitch afterwards.
“At half-time, the feeling was there that something was possible. With 10 men, in my history, I have never had something like that at Newcastle. In this stadium, with that atmosphere, it is crazy.”
Predictably, Howe felt Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk should have been sent off during the first half, while Klopp claimed there had been no “active contact” by Van Dijk on Isak for a foul that will earn the captain a one-game suspension.
Those arguments are easier to reckon with for Liverpool thanks to Nunez’s demonstration of the perfect accuracy he occasionally lacked during his debut season in England.
“It’s clear he’s not happy,” Klopp said of Nunez’s starting place on the bench, calling the Uruguay striker’s performance “super”. “He will play, there’s no doubt about that. We need everyone. We need to find a way of playing. This is a new team with new key players. It needs time.
“He scores two goals and can’t get the smile off his face. For the team, it was super important. You need these things together. You cannot force it. I enjoyed that, in the last second.”
Newcastle ‘kicking themselves’ after rare home defeat
Aside from a defeat to Arsenal in May, Liverpool are the only team Newcastle have lost to at home since the end of 2021 – and Howe’s players clearly wanted revenge for a defeat in February when they were 2-0 behind by the time Pope was sent off during the first half.
There was much to enjoy in Newcastle’s display and their cause for optimism would have been strengthened by their record of winning all of their previous 13 games when they had led at half-time, last losing in that situation in a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in August 2022.
Even when they spurned chances during the second half, their opponents offered little in return and seemed to have few answers to the skilful, free-flowing attacks orchestrated by Gordon, Isak and their supporting cast.
Callum Wilson had averaged a goal every 56 minutes in his previous seven games at St James’ Park, so there was a sense that his introduction for Isak with 19 minutes remaining was made with the expectation that the in-form striker could score a sixth goal from the bench in that sequence.
Instead, Nunez stole the show. “We should have put the game to bed and that is probably the thing we are all kicking ourselves with,” Howe told the broadcaster.
“We had a lot of chances and goalmouth action. Their goalkeeper made one of the best saves that I have seen live, from Almiron, and it just wasn’t to be for us.
“There were moments there for us. We needed the second goal because Liverpool are dangerous, they are bringing world-class players on from the bench. It only takes a chance, even with 10 men, and they are a really good counter-attacking team.
“We were unlucky with their first goal. It hits Sven’s heel and lands perfectly for Nunez and it is a great finish. Those are the small things that go against you sometimes.”
Newcastle vs Liverpool live updates, highlights, commentary
Full-time: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool win it almost at the last! Darwin Nunez, who only came on in the 77th minute, scores two late goals to turn the game around.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had a torrid time for much of the game, gees up the away fans in a display of joy. Jurgen Klopp celebrates with his players. What an end to an unpredictable game.
The 10 men win it. Thanks for following our live coverage. We’ll have a report and analysis coming up!
90 +4 mins: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Epic stuff. Bruno Guimaraes loses possession midway inside Newcastle’s half. Mohamed Salah instantly spots and plays a glorious pass, freeing Darwin Nunez beyond Dan Burn.
The striker pounces from the right of the penalty area again, drilling past Nick Pope. Cruel on Newcastle!
90 +3 mins: GOAL – Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool (Darwin Nunez)
Remarkable! The substitute has done it!
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90 +2 mins: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
Sean Longstaff tries to score with a gloriously cheeky backheel inside the penalty area. Alisson is equal to it.
90 +1 mins: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp is grinning with a faint air of menace now. Eddie Howe, who looks to have at least one tight black top on, looks sternly on.
There are going to be five minutes of added time for these managers to endure.
90 mins: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
Another chance for Newcastle, Callum Wilson getting in front of his marker and firing over the target from a tight angle inside the penalty area on the right. He doesn’t look best pleased with that.
89 mins: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
Miguel Almiron thumps in a shot from inside the penalty area and wants a penalty. A lightning VAR check confirms that the ball hit Andy Robertson’s back.
Sean Longstaff then sends a shot into Alisson’s arms. Blistering, unpredictable action – will we get another goal?
87 mins: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
A miserable seven minutes or so for Sven Botman. The Newcastle defender has to be helped off the pitch after falling awkwardly.
Matt Targett replaces him.
84 mins: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
Darwin Nunez levels up his tally of goals to yellow cards, collecting a booking for kicking the ball away.
83 mins: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
That goal was Liverpool’s first attempt on target since Virgil van Dijk was sent off during the first half.
Darwin Nunez’s goal looks even better on replays. Fierce and off the post. The angle of the strike made it almost unstoppable.
81 mins: GOAL – Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
Clinical from Darwin Nunez!
Sven Botman can’t rearrange his feet as an attempted pass hits him on the back just outside the penalty area. It’s unfortunate for the defender, the ball falling kindly for Nunez, who still has plenty to do but drills a low, precise finish beyond Nick Pope and into the far corner of the net.
Jurgen Klopp roars with delight. No missing that full display of pearly ultra-whites.
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🗣️ “RAZOR-SHARP RED!”
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79 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Joelinton lets out a howl of pain and a grimace. Darwin Nunez is quick to pull him back to his feet… and levels from the ensuing attack!
78 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Dan Burn performs some heroic defending, then Harvey Barnes races to the other end and takes his time to shoot when he probably should have fed Callum Wilson, who was urging him to play a pass to the right of the penalty area.
The effort bobbles up and Liverpool just about deal with it.
77 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Darwin Nunez replaces Alexis Mac Allister. If one substitute doesn’t need much introduction, perhaps the second does: Jarell Quansah is a defender marking his debut, with Joel Matip making way.
76 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Miguel Almiron hits the post after a scintillating run!
The Paraguay international surges forward at an astonishing clip on the right, giving Alexis Mac Allister no chance of catching him and evading Joe Gomez’s pressure.
Almiron then fires in a blistering effort that comes off the far post and away, adding a little skip as he sends off the shot.
A penalty check takes place for a potential handball by Harvey Elliott. No further action is taken.
75 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Nick Pope comes well out of his penalty area to head clear with Mohamed Salah chasing it.
Then Diogo Jota goes down inside the penalty area after being nudged by Kieran Trippier, who’s not impressed with Jota going to ground.
A swift VAR check leaves Trippier the happier man.
74 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Two substitutes combine: Sean Longstaff whips in a cross from near the corner flag on the right, and Callum Wilson does well to evade his marker but can only boom a header comfortably wide.
72 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Arch super-sub Callum Wilson comes on for Alexander Isak. Anthony Gordon, who must be breathing heavily for all his exertions today, makes way for Harvey Barnes, and Sean Longstoff supplants Sandro Tonali.
69 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Busy times for Newcastle’s defence: Sven Botman heads behind for another Liverpool corner.
Plenty of pressure but little end product for Liverpool during the past few minutes. Dan Burn launches the danger away with another humongous header.
68 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Sven Botman concedes another corner, this time on Newcastle’s left. Joelinton heads the delivery behind, and Dan Burn nods the ensuing corner away.
67 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Now Sven Botman is in action at the other end. Diogo Jota’s perceptive low pass finds Mohamed Salah inside the penalty area on the left, and Botman slides in to divert the ball behind.
Nick Pope punches clear from the corner, and Liverpool collect possession inside their half and start building again.
66 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Diogo Jota brings Kieran Trippier down to give Newcastle a free-kick in a promising position, almost level with the penalty area on the right.
Trippier swings it in front of goal, where Sven Botman glances a header wide of the far post.
65 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
It’s been a fine afternoon’s work by Anthony Gordon, the perennial thorn in Liverpool’s side.
This time he cuts inside, nears the edge of the penalty area and flashes a fierce shot past a post.
64 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Andy Robertson finds space and tries to rush forward in the left channel. Joelinton bursts back and dispossesses him to avert the danger.
61 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
To what must be Jurgen Klopp’s relief, Liverpool have spent more time in the Newcastle half since Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota came on.
Newcastle are energetically pressing them but the visitors are keeping the ball in promising areas. Joe Gomez heads well wide from a free-kick.
59 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Diogo Jota makes an instant impact, breaking free on the left and winning a corner.
It’s not often you see Liverpool go this long without creating a chance. Newcastle clear, Jota gets on the ball again on the left, then Dan Burn tackles Mohamed Salah as the hosts harry their opponents.
58 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Wataru Endo’s full debut for Liverpool is over. The Japan captain makes way alongside fellow central midfielder Cody Gakpo, replaced by Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota, who Liverpool must be hoping will give them a semblance of spark in attack.
56 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Kieran Trippier feeds Sandro Tonali on the right, who’s in an abundance of space, charges forwards and swings in a low cross which is touched behind by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool changes are on the way.
55 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Sandro Tonali is the latest Newcastle player to almost make contact with a cross from the left inside Liverpool’s box.
Tonali then gives the ball away. Liverpool try to build an attack but their lack of cohesion is evident again.
54 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Anthony Gordon sends in a shot which Alisson claims comfortably. Then Liverpool give the ball away inside their own half on the left, and Alexis Mac Allister shepherds the resulting throw-in behind.
Liverpool are having a hard time escaping their half.
53 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Andy Robertson wins possession deep inside his own half and sets off on a speedy run, then loses control of the ball and sends it out of play, almost crashing into Jurgen Klopp in the process.
The Liverpool manager is apoplectic about something. Or it could be everything, on the basis of the game so far. His ire appears to be in the direction of Sandro Tonali doing his bootlaces up, but it’s hard to tell. Anyway, the home fans enjoy it.
51 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Kieran Trippier is booked for what could have been a challenge or moaning at John Brooks.
On second-half chances alone, Newcastle will have plenty to rue if they don’t win this.
50 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Now Joelinton has a go at Trent Alexander-Arnold, entering the box on the left, cutting back and finding Miguel Almiron unmarked on the other side of the penalty area.
Almiron fires well over the crossbar. All the composure of a toddler let loose inside a pick-and-mix factory.
48 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold wastes a free-kick inside Newcastle territory. Jurgen Klopp has not cut a happy character for much of this afternoon, and he’s now having a chat with the fourth official.
47 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Anthony Gordon is on fire on the left flank. The ex-Evertonian performs stepovers as he beats Trent Alexander-Arnold again, enters the penalty area and cuts a pass back into the path of Alexander Isak.
A check takes place after Isak goes down as Liverpool deal with the danger, but there’s no infringement.
46 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
No changes at the break. Newcastle pick up where they left off, Anthony Gordon seizing on a Trent Alexander-Arnold error and swishing in a low cross.
Joel Matip is bamboozled by the delivery. Joe Gomez just about clears.
Half-time: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Newcastle had Nick Pope sent off when Liverpool won 2-0 here in February. If they were targeting revenge today, they couldn’t have envisaged it being quite such a mirror of that day.
This time it’s Liverpool who are down to 10 men courtesy of Virgil van Dijk’s dismissal for a foul on Alexander Isak, compounding their misery after Anthony Gordon had capitalised on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s miscontrol to race through and put the hosts ahead.
Forgettable for Liverpool, fantastic for Newcastle and frenetic all round, that half will tempt both managers to change their tactics, particularly Jurgen Klopp. Are the Magpies about to win this fixture for the first time in 14 attempts?
45 mins +3: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool can’t do anything with the corner that is probably their final chance to cause danger during this first half.
A suitable roar of approval goes up from the home fans as Joe Gomez is penalised for pulling back Sandro Tonali near the halfway line. Newcastle are closing in on a half-time lead.
45 mins +2: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Andy Robertson swings an inviting cross from the left towards Joe Gomez inside the penalty area. Joelinton intervenes acrobatically, wincing as he gets back up.
45 mins +1: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Joelinton’s been grumping at John Brooks persistently during the later stages of this half. He’s pulled up for a foul on Alexis Mac Allister inside Liverpool territory, looking no more impressed with that decision.
44 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Dominik Szoboszlai has a go from a free-kick in a useful position just outside the penalty area for Liverpool, lofting his shot high over the crossbar.
There will be four minutes of added time.
41 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Newcastle’s xG is 0.98. Liverpool’s is 0.21.
The Reds will probably score before half-time, now that’s out in the open.
38 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool are still on the ropes. Alisson tips a cross away haphazardly, allowing Kieran Trippier to cut back a low cross from inside the penalty area on the right.
Miguel Almiron swings in a shot from the pass, sending it narrowly wide.
35 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Extraordinary shot, exceptional save! A headed clearance falls for Migeul Almiron inside the penalty area to the right of centre, and his control and volley are magnificent, thumping a thunderbolt of an effort towards goal.
Alisson somehow keeps it out, tipping the shot against the crossbar and then clawing it behind. That one looked like it could have bounced over the line, but there’s no signal from John Brooks and Liverpool breathe a sigh of relief.
32 mins: Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Luis Diaz’s 50th Premier League appearance comes to an uncelebratory end, making way for Joe Gomez in a defensive tactic