Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool: Salah’s Heroic Effort Stalls in Thrilling Draw

Mo Salah replicated his performance against Southampton, scoring twice to help Liverpool recover from a 2-1 deficit, though this time it ended in a 3-3 draw at Newcastle.

Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool

After commanding victories over Real Madrid and Manchester City, Liverpool faced a tougher challenge against a disciplined and aggressive Newcastle team.

An early effort from Alexis Mac Allister, driven through the crowd, forced Nick Pope into a low save. Meanwhile, Newcastle focused on exploiting right-back Jarell Quansah as he settled into the match.

Jacob Murphy’s shot hitting the outside of the post served as a warning for Liverpool, before Alexander Isak produced a moment of brilliance in the 35th minute.

Despite being an injury concern before the game, Isak picked up the ball from 30 yards out, evaded Virgil van Dijk, and unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner.

Van Dijk narrowly avoided trouble after deliberately fouling Anthony Gordon following a missed chance from the summer target. Liverpool struggled throughout the first half, arguably their worst under manager Slot so far.

HT: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

In a surprise move, Liverpool made no changes at half-time, either in personnel or positions, keeping Quansah at right-back and Gomez at centre-back.

However, the team showed a significant shift in energy and intensity. Just five minutes into the second half, Salah found Curtis Jones with a clever trivela pass, and Jones finished with composure to level the score.

Liverpool should have taken the lead when Cody Gakpo’s header across goal reached Darwin Nunez, but the Uruguayan failed to make contact, and the ball went wide.

Instead, Newcastle regained the lead through Anthony Gordon, who took advantage of Quansah and Gomez being out of position, cutting onto his right foot to score despite Caoimhin Kelleher’s attempt to save.

In response, Slot made three substitutions, bringing on Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Luis Diaz for Gomez, Ryan Gravenberch, and Gakpo. Alexander-Arnold quickly assisted Salah for the equalizer, making it 2-2.

The game intensified, and after Salah hit the crossbar in a near miss, he completed his brace with a well-taken turn and finish, again from an Alexander-Arnold assist.

However, a costly mistake from Kelleher, who left the ball behind him, allowed Fabian Schar to score, denying Liverpool the win.

Late on, Liverpool had two penalty appeals turned down for a foul on Luis Diaz and a handball by Dan Burn, but ultimately, it was their own mistakes that led to the dropped points at St James’ Park.

TIA Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah

Referee: Andy Madley

Newcastle: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali (Longstaff 87′), Joelinton (Willock 88′); Murphy (Barnes 74′), Gordon (Wilson 87′), Isak
Subs not used: Dubravka, Targett, Kelly, Almiron, Osula

Liverpool: Kelleher; Quansah, Gomez (Alexander-Arnold 67′), Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch (Szoboszlai 67′), Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo (Diaz 67′), Nunez
Subs not used: Jaros, Nallo, Endo, Morton, Elliott, Nyoni

Next match: Everton (A) – Premier League – Saturday, December 7, 12:30 pm (GMT)