Newcastle and Liverpool achieved a 3-3 draw, continuing their history of exciting Premier League games.

A stunning goal from Alexander Isak opened the scoring and Liverpool fought back through Mohamed Salah to take a late 3-2 lead – only for the goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher misjudged a free kick and allowed Fabian Schar to equalize later.

The athlete‘s Chris Waugh, Andy Jones and Mark Carey analyze the key talking points…

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Kelleher’s mistake was a huge blow

It feels cruel that Caoimhin Kelleher’s mistake would result in Liverpool losing two points after an excellent run of performances.

The Republic of Ireland international has emerged as the league’s best No.2 goalkeeper, deputizing for Alisson Becker while the Brazilian recovers from a hamstring injury.

Kelleher barely put a foot wrong and made a series of big saves – including one in the first half from Anthony Gordon to prevent Newcastle taking a 2-0 lead – as Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League and the Champions League set.

But as he watched a Newcastle free-kick sail low towards the back post, he began to claim the ball.

As he watched it come towards him, he hesitated and realized he couldn’t reach it. The problem was that Fabian Schar didn’t give up and directed the ball towards the goal from a tight angle, while Kelleher was stranded in no man’s land.

He has helped Liverpool win far more points this season than he has cost them, which is why this situation feels particularly unfair. He was not supported by his opponents when he scored the two goals at the start of the game.

There is a lot of debate about the goalkeeper position with Alisson almost back to fitness. Slot has always made it clear that the Brazil international will return to the starting lineup as soon as he is fit – and that a mistake will make his decision easier to explain.

Andy Jones

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Newcastle’s great players always leave their mark in big games

When elite teams arrive on Tyneside, Newcastle’s elite players inevitably turn up. Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and now Liverpool have visited St James’ Park this season and none have left with all three points.

While Isak terrorized Virgil van Dijk in the first half, putting the defender in trouble and regularly creating opportunities for his teammates before turning the Dutchman on his head with a superb opener, Gordon also scored a goal against the club that he may be part of summer had changed.

With this, Gordon increased his goal contributions – assists and goals scored – against the so-called “Big Six” to 14 since the start of last season.

Guimaraes was also excellent, taking advantage of opportunities for his teammates and providing the assist for Schar’s equalizer in the 90th minute.

Their record may still only show one win in the 11 league games they have started together – that victory came on the opening day of last season, in their first ever game together against Aston Villa – but Sandro Tonali and Guimaraes have also proven that they can function successfully in tandem. While Tonali orchestrated the game in the sixth position, winning the ball and launching attacks, Guimaraes played passes into spaces.

In the first half the pair harmonized well with Joelinton, choosing their times to apply pressure together and win the ball from Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

Ultimately, even Newcastle’s big-name players were only able to snatch a point from Liverpool, but the frustration is that these breakthrough performances cannot be reserved for elite teams. If Newcastle want to climb the table they will need to repeat these performances against Brentford, Leicester and Ipswich.

Chris Waugh

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Newcastle’s defense is impressive despite the result achieved

That may sound strange after a 3-3 draw, but Newcastle’s defensive performance tonight was arguably their best of the season for much of the game.

From the first whistle, Eddie Howe’s men rushed and harassed Liverpool and disrupted their build-up play with high, aggressive pressing. Ryan Gravenberch has been one of Liverpool’s star players this season but was repeatedly caught on the ball in the middle of the park thanks to the forward work of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. The evening was so difficult for the Netherlands international that he was sent off midway through the second half.

When Newcastle had the opportunity to press high, they were true to their task. When they had to move into their typical 5-4-1 central block, they remained disciplined and structured – blocking the middle of the pitch and limiting the ball’s progression to Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister between the lines.

Particularly in the first half, Newcastle ensured that both of Liverpool’s wingers remained calm due to the off-season form by keeping four players – typically a retreating winger, an outside central midfielder, a full-back and a supporting centre-back – in a penalty area, to outnumber Liverpool’s wide triangles.

Newcastle’s effectiveness waned in the second half as Arne Slot’s men had more and more fun on Lewis Hall’s left. All three goals conceded came from crosses from Liverpool’s right side with sharp passes and precise finishes. Newcastle may find it difficult not to get more for their efforts, but there were extended periods which Howe, for his part, will be pleased with.

Mark Carey

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What’s next for Newcastle?

Saturday December 7th: Brentford (away), Premier League, 3pm UK, 10am ET

What’s next for Liverpool?

Saturday December 7th: Everton (away), Premier League, 12:30pm UK, 7:30am ET

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(Top photo: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)