5 talking points as Darwin Nunez saves Liverpool at 10-man in thrilling Newcastle comeback

NEWCASTLE 1-2 LIVERPOOL: Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have their Uruguay leader to thank, who came on in a chaotic affair at St James’ Park and scored two late goals

Darwin Nunez came on for Liverpool and picked up an incredible win over Newcastle, despite the Reds playing with ten for most of the game.

Anthony Gordon gave the hosts the lead in the chaotic opening 45 minutes, in which Trent Alexander-Arnold thankfully avoided a red card on early substitution, while Virgil van Dijk received his own running orders for a foul of the last man on Alexander Isak.

Things threatened to go downhill for Jurgen Klopp’s side but substitute Nunez struck a brilliant strike minutes from time and appeared to salvage a point before scoring a second in stoppage time that stunned St James’ Park and coaches Klopp knocked out the overhead kick.

Here are all the talking points from a dramatic clash in the North East.

Trent, a lucky boy

As was customary for Newcastle under Eddie Howe, this game started at 100mph. While no goals were scored this time, a ban may have been necessary.

Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold was probably unfortunate enough to receive an early yellow card when he flicked the ball away after being pushed off the pitch. However, he was lucky not to get marching orders when he pushed Gordon.

The Geordie crowd demanded a red card and many of the Magpies squad followed suit. Referee John Brooks decided not to send him off much to the dismay of Eddie Howe.

Ex-Toffee takes advantage

Just minutes after slipping away slightly, Alexander-Arnold lost his temper again as his mistake gave the home side a 1-0 lead. When the right-back tried to accept a pass from Saudi Mo Salah, he momentarily looked away and let it roll under his foot.

Former Everton star Gordon made full use of his advantage as he collected the loose ball, rushed into the Liverpool penalty area and put it coolly under Alisson. Leaving Merseyside in somewhat unsavory circumstances, he was obviously still delighted with the win over Liverpool as he celebrated loudly.

Another red sees red

Things got even worse for Liverpool midway through the first half. Superb play from the hosts saw Isak unchallenged past the Reds defence.

In an attempt to stop the Swede, Van Dijk put his foot in but was only able to trip the striker when he appeared to have passed on goal. This time the red card came – the VAR accepted the decision – and the Dutchman’s first dismissal in the Premier League became official.

Van Dijk expressed his anger at both the referee and the fourth official as he left the pitch and tunnel at St James’ Park. Immediately followed by his teammates at the end of a self-destructive first half.

Salah’s ties to Saudi Arabia are not going away.

Even before the game, attention grew around Liverpool and Salah. The Egyptian striker is of interest to Al-Ittihad, who are set to see him become the highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League.

Just hours before kick-off, it was announced that he would undergo a medical at the Ittihad after the game against Saudi Arabia-backed Newcastle was completed. As Liverpool – and Klopp – clung to his future, Salah may have been affected.

Understandable perhaps given the circumstances, but Salah struggled to get into attack. A few days before the transfer window, Liverpool are crossing their fingers that he stays at Anfield.

Nunez is the center of attention.

Although Salah struggled to threaten Newcastle, the same certainly cannot be said for his compatriot Nunez, who equalized with a fatal goal. The Uruguayan came on late as Klopp tried to salvage a point. That decision was a masterstroke of the German. After a lucky bounce off the back of Sven Botman, Nunez picked up the ball and shot into the far corner with a clinical finish.

The former Benfica man came back again in added time when he got to the end of Salah’s through ball and raced home to secure a dramatic victory for the Reds.