Summer signing Fabio Carvalho fired in a 98th-minute winner as Liverpool grabbed a vital three points against a resolute Newcastle United at Anfield.
In a first half low on quality, Newcastle took a shock lead as Alexander Isak fired home his first goal for the club, keeping his composure to smash the ball past the onrushing Alisson.
ISAK! ⚽️
Newcastle’s record signing has just bagged on his debut to send the travelling Geordies wild at Anfield! ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/9Dr9ZKTadP
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 31, 2022
Liverpool continued their slow start to the season, and looked poor for much of the game, but Roberto Firmino fired in an equaliser on the hour and, 8 minutes into the minimum of 5 added minutes, a scramble from a corner saw Carvalho turn a disappointing draw into a vital win for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
It felt harsh in many ways for Eddie Howe’s side, who despite being without their two best players turned in an energetic and resolute performance, with a host of stand out outings for their backline. For Liverpool, however, it means that back to back wins have papered over the early-season results, and they have not lost further ground on early pace setters Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City.
Here’s how 101 rated the players on show.
📰 Table Of Contents
Liverpool
Alisson – 6
Relatively untroubled and could not do much for the opening goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5
Virgil Van Dijk – 6
Could have done better for Isak’s goal but was otherwise the best of a bad bunch at the back for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Joe Gomez – 5
Liverpool’s defence does not look as solid as it should with Gomez in, and the Englishman once again looked slightly out of his depth in the backline.
Andy Robertson – 5
A quiet night for Robertson, whose cutbacks were not quite on the money. Subbed off on the hour.
Fabinho – 6
The Brazilian will have better nights, but his presence alone makes Liverpool a better side.
Jordan Henderson – 6
Some nice passes from the captain, and the Englishman was taken off on the hour with the Merseyside Derby clearly in Klopp’s mind.
Harvey Elliot – 8
Was arguably Liverpool’s brightest spark and covered a tremendous amount of ground in central midfield. Cannot do it by himself though.
Luiz Diaz – 7
Continues to paper over Salah’s poor form, and gives Liverpool a different dimension in attack.
Roberto Firmino – 6
Continued his goalscoring form to net the equaliser, and linked play up well. Nunez may struggle to get back into the first XI on current showing.
Mohamed Salah – 5
Provided the assist for Firmino’s goal, but it was another quiet night for the Egyptian as his fellow attackers overshadowed him.
Substitutes:
Fabio Carvalho – 7
Did very little upon coming on, but came up with a vital strike in the 98th minute to ensure all three points remained in Liverpool. A nice birthday present for the Liverpool man.
Kostas Tsimikas – 5
Came on for Robertson and was equally ineffective.
James Milner – 6
Chucked on at right-back, made little headway against a resolute Newcastle side.
Newcastle
Nick Pope – 8
Made a series of good saves to keep his side in the game, despite complaining of illness after just three minutes. A key performer for Eddie Howe despite the defeat.
Kieran Trippier – 7
Was useful in both directions even if a rare free kick found Alisson’s gloves rather than the back of the net. Booked for a professional foul late on.
Jamaal Lascalles – 7
Perhaps overshadowed by his defensive partner but very solid in Eddie Howe’s backline. Like much of his side, unlucky to be on the losing side.
Dan Burn – 8
Continues to prove a very shrewd purchase, as Burn turned in another great performance at the heart of the Newcastle backline.
Matt Targett – 7
Kept both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah very quiet. Will be very happy with his evening despite the result.
Sean Longstaff – 7
Coming in for the impressive Bruno Guimaraes, Longstaff put in a very strong performance, including a cute pass for Isak’s goal.
Joe Willock – 6
A solid performance from the energetic Willock.
Joelinton – 7
Joelinton’s remarkable change in fortunes shows no sign of stopping, with the Brazilian putting in a great shift in the Magpies engine room once more.
Miguel Almiron – 6
Didn’t stop running but was largely feeding on scraps.
Ryan Fraser – 6
Was a threat on the break but often found himself isolated like Almiron.
Alexander Isak – 8
Gave Newcastle fans a taste of what is to come with two goals (albeit only one of which counted), and led the line well for the Magpies. A promising first hour in black and white.
Substitutes
Chris Wood – 4
Could not make the ball stick and relieve the pressure on his side.
Jacob Murphy- 5
Was brought on as fresh legs and defended well. Toothless in attack.
Elliot Anderson – 5
Came on to help see out the game and did that, but offered nothing going the other way.
