Liverpool v Newcastle United - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

Liverpool v Newcastle United A Liverpool Perspective



A very odd game, with Newcastle being very much in the game until they scored and then Liverpool dominating the rest of the match. What was noticeable is the part referee Simon Hooper played in the win, simply by being his hopelessly incompetent self. His constant bad decisions had gradually ramped up the atmosphere as the Kop got more and more irate with his uselessness and, when Newcastle scored, that put the crowd firmly behind the team. From that moment on, the game only had one team in it, as Liverpool dominated.

The most pleasing thing to watch was their desire to get the ball forward and attack the Toon, even when leading 3-1, there was always a real hunger to get more. The tippy tappy passing around the back and slow build up play still showed up in odd moments, but it never lasted long and there was no sitting back and hoping to hold onto the lead. We saw just what this team is actually capable of and also saw the style of play that should have been evident from the first game of the season, rather than the slow, methodical approach Slot has favoured all season. With this style of play, there is no doubt in my mind that Liverpool would have been in the title battle this time around once more, rather than scraping round hoping for a top 4/5 finish.

Slot does have a big problem, which requires a lot more of these performances, rather than the tedious tippy tappy round the backline stuff that he seems to favour. That problem is that he is following on from Jurgen Klopp, that aura, that charisma, that easy charm and the way he integrated himself into the city and understood and utilised the power of the fans at Anfield. Slot simply does not have any of that. He has not moved his family over to England, he does not even live in the Liverpool area, which makes it difficult for him to really harness the passion coming from the stands, which is the real difference maker. That means that he has to win trophies, which he is making more difficult for himself by not bringing the crowd into play.

He does not help himself, for example dropping Ekitike the moment Isak was even within the range of 20% fit, when Ekitike had made himself a crowd favourite, was scoring goals and playing well. It is little wonder that the team are not able to really get a good run of performances together, to play consistent winning football, as without that truly ignited crowd the team is hampered. What this game showed is that it is still better suited to quick, attacking football, with Wirtz and Ekitike needing the ball played up to them as early as possible to get the most out of them.

On the minus side, I still fail to see what the coaching staff do with regards to the Gravenberch and Mac Allister pairing in midfield. Forcing Mac Allister to sit deeper provides a little more security than having no one there, but only a little, while Gravenberch is woefully unsuited to being in and around the penalty box most of the time. Having Gravenberch sit deep provides much more defensive security as his positional sense and mobility is better. Added to that, his driving runs from deep can be game changers. Mac Allister, on the other hand, offers little from deep, his ability to pick a telling pass around the edge of the box is negated and his ability to pop up and get on the end of something or hit a shot from around the edge of the box is useless.



Newcastle United


I was very disappointed in the Newcastle performance, I know they missed their key man Bruno (and they are still to win a game since he signed without him in their line up), but they looked out on their feet after about 30 minutes and, while they did go on to open the scoring in the 36th minute, let their heads drop after Liverpool took the lead with two quick goals. It means that I am now left wondering if Liverpool were actually all that good or if Newcastle just made it easy for them. Normally you look for ways that one team has nullified another to see how they have stifled them and stopped them playing, but there was none of that in this match. Liverpool were still wide open in midfield but Newcastle were just utterly unable to get control of the ball.

It was very clear without Joelinton and Bruno in midfield that Newcastle lack drive and defensive work, those two do so much to help protect the backline, as well as providing physical presence in the offensive third. It means that the poor organisation of the defence, something Howe's teams have always been prone to, is completely exposed, which Liverpool exploited extremely well. Like Aston Villa earlier in the season, they did set themselves up perfectly for Liverpool, which helped. You can see why Newcastle are struggling this season and it will require them to improve massively if they are to qualify for Europe again next season.

There are a lot of signs there that the Eddie Howe era is coming to an end. He does not seem to have any answers for their problems or ideas of how to take the team forward. Or even how to keep them at the level they achieved last season. They are so heavily reliant on Bruno that they simply have nothing to offer without him.



Liverpool


Alisson - Newcastle certainly seemed to be targeting him. He was fouled at every set piece, Newcastle did get a lot of corners, and there was also the late lunge by Gordon, which could easily have been a red card, rather than a yellow. Despite the attentions, he still came up with a big save when the score was 2-1.


Szoboszlai - playing at right-back but he had a very good game.


Konate - I will probably seem really churlish now and I will say it was his best game this season but, yes there is a but, he was still ropey positionally and made a few errors. He has just lost his father and he also scored a goal (which was a moment that brought a tear to the eye of most of us I am sure), so I would not normally even mention his errors and put them down to just not having his head in the right place. Unfortunately, they are part of his normal game, so it is difficult to just ignore them and pass them off as being just about grief.


van Dijk - he really needs to be more assertive and aggressive, stop backing away and put in a challenge. There were a lot of corners, which are always a dangerous moment, and a lot of the build up to Newcastle winning one began with van Dijk's decision to drop off early. It makes it very difficult for a press to work.


Kerkez - played really well and was dangerous when getting forward. The link up with Gakpo is still lacking, but it was the best it has been yet, some signs of them finally building an understanding. Played an excellent early pass to Ekitike for the second goal.


Mac Allister - the most pathetic piece of play acting since Rivaldo tried to claim he was hit in the face after the ball hit his leg has completely overshadowed his performance. His teammates really need to have a word with him now because it is embarrassing and I am beginning to dislike him due to his cheating. I would happily be rid of him.


Gravenberch - decent game, I would still like to see him work on his passing, which is wayward at times. I still would much prefer to see him playing the deeper role he was so successful in last season.


Gakpo - his best game of the season, he looked a genuine threat. He did tire in the latter stages though. He does still need to make more use of Kerkez.


Wirtz - excellent game, he is really starting to show what he can do now. Ekitike is particularly on his wavelength and the two are building up a great understanding. He has become the focal point for the attack, with opponents struggling to deal with him when he has a free role.


Salah - there were a couple of moments when the old Salah showed through, and he did add another assist to become the first Premier League player to score and assist double figures against one team. Mostly though, he was crowded out as Newcastle double-teamed him, but there were chances and he really should have added a goal.


Ekitike - once again he was really good and is looking like he could be the man to build the attack around, even after Isak gets fit. Scored two and was a thorn in the side of Newcastle throughout the match.


Chiesa - took the place of Salah in the 84th minute. Was brought on to help see out the dying minutes of the game, which he did with his usual enthusiasm.


Jones - replaced Ekitike in the 84th minute. Helped to see the game out.


Endo - was brought in on the stead of Wirtz in the 87th minute. Had little time and little to do, but he allowed Szoboszlai to move central and helped kill off the flickering hopes of the Newcastle fans.

Written by Tris Burke February 05 2026 18:36:50