Liverpool appeared to have turned another poor performance into a great three points, but errors ended their winning streak with a 3-3 draw at Newcastle.

Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool

Premier League (14) | St James’ Park
December 4, 2024

Goals: Isak 34′, Gordon 62′, Schar 89′; Jones 50′, Salah 67′ 82′

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Caoimhin Kelleher – 5 (out of 10)

Had almost nothing to do for half an hour and then had absolutely no chance with Alexander Isak’s hammer blow. A brilliant stop a few minutes later as he denied Anthony Gordon one on one.

Was it our Irishman’s first questionable moment in a long time with the second goal? Maybe could have done better after he made it, but maybe it wasn’t a complete mistake.

However, it led to more: it would have been a mistake shortly afterwards if Jacob Murphy had scored instead of hitting wide after a mistimed push.

It definitely That’s what happened when he misjudged a last-minute free kick, let it fly over him… and was touched at the far post.

Jarell Quansah – 6

A first start in the league since opening day, but also a first start in the senior team in a new position at right-back.

Defensively it was a tough start against the pace of Gordon, but he didn’t just sit back – on a drive run he beat Mo Salah to see the goal before also racing back and making a crucial interception.

On the other hand, he was thrown into the goal several times and received a yellow card for retrieving his man after losing the ball himself.

A tough performance at right-back – looked more confident when he moved to the middle, but was perhaps lucky not to see a penalty against him.

Joe Gomez – 7

A wonderful recovery tackle – in truth more of a touch than a tackle – to prevent a certain goal after half an hour.

However, he then completely failed at a back pass that should have given Newcastle a second goal. He owes Caoimh a beer.

Big, brave block on the hour mark to stop a fierce shot from Gordon. He was substituted shortly afterwards, perhaps because of the blow to the head, but perhaps also because we now need him game after game and he hasn’t played that much for a while.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

Excellent interpretation of the game and the opportunity to score several cut-outs in the first half, which was littered with errors from the players in red jerseys.

He failed to stop Isak as he scored the opening goal, but far from being a mistake, it was just a brilliant early strike.

Amid a changing defensive line, he was the constant, a one-man wall stopping passes, crosses and dribble attempts into the box.

Also absolutely physical Gordon, for once Was actually touched him before he fell to the ground.

Andy Robertson – 5

Was high up the field early on with regularity but had no real impact.

His crosses – from deep or the touchline – weren’t nearly enough to find a red shirt and he almost made a mistake in his penalty area to give Newcastle a chance with poor play.

He also seemed very slow on the turn when longer balls were passed to Murphy behind him.

At the moment Robbo has a lot of games in a row and maybe conserving energy is the order of the day; Solidity over waves. An important late release.

Ryan Gravenberch – 5

In the first 45 minutes, the first touch was sloppy on several occasions, resulting in him losing the ball in poor areas or missing the chance to turn into space.

He was slightly better in possession after the break, but never at the level he had been for most of the season. Since he now has to start (and perform well) against Everton, it made sense to bring him on here.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7

Had the first two attempts, a great shot that was well saved and another that was deflected onto the post.

However, he was booked after 20 minutes for a rather minor foul – but that was costly as he is suspended against Everton.

He was really the one trying to push the tempo, get into Newcastle’s midfield and push the Reds up the pitch. Great defensive work even after his yellow.

Curtis Jones – 7

There were repeated breakdowns in the first half, but in the second half he hit the top post and provided the much-needed equalizer.

Barely a second later he almost headed it and then moved up to 6th place after the triple sub.

From then on the pass was a little looser than Arne Slot would have liked, but he got to the ball well and ensured that the Reds had a positive effect.

Mohamed Salah – 8 – Man of the match

Loose touches characterized his first half and much of the Reds – particularly when he was played in and poorly controlled by Quansah.

But it’s Salah, you expect something to happen, even if he’s bad: so when the second half starts and he darts upfield and scores the equalizer with the perfectly weighted pass, that’s completely normal these days.

He did nothing for another 15 minutes and then took control to equalize with his right foot, smashing the crossbar without him being able to aim at it and sinking his second goal on the pivot.

There have already been 21 goals or assists in the league this season. Pay him. Keep him.

Cody Gakpo – 6

Highlighted how he has earned his way into the team recently by staying there – left wing is now his right.

However, this was a game that he had no influence on in the first half: there was a lack of supply at times, but also just one where Newcastle kept the game tight and aggressive, leaving our wide open space as spectators most of the time.

He fired a shot wide of the goal and headed over in a much better start to the second 45 minutes, but soon faded again and was substituted from the three.

Darwin Nunez – 5

He offered some early runs down the left channel but without much service or end product when he gained possession. Showed the usual effort to get back and try to energize the team.

Somehow, after the equalizer, he failed to score from a meter away, then he was cautioned for discrepancies over the referee’s accurate portrayal of his incompetence.

Missed a really good chance from seven meters past the goal.

Substitute

Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Gomez, 66′) – 8

Came into the game, assisted, fouled Gordon and was booked – three busy minutes. Then Salah assisted again with his brace. Definitely suspect defensively in a hectic game but will start on Saturday.

Luis Diaz (for Gakpo, 66′) – 7

He didn’t really get any further with his dribbling or cutting attempts, but he extended the play and ran at the defense a lot.

Dominik Szoboszlai (for Gravenberch, 66′) – 8

Immediately involved in the move to score a goal, plus a brilliant overtaking maneuver in the run-up to our third goal. Another definite weekend starter.

Substitutes not used: Jaros, Nallo, Endo, Morton, Elliott, Nyoni

Arne Slot – 8

Playing Quansah at right-back was his big decision, most of the others were set-pieces or rotations, but perhaps this game – this atmosphere, this stadium, this opponent, these weather conditions – was another reminder of how difficult it is to maintain the intensity required after the game after the game.

Sure the Reds were completely bad in the first half, but at the break there were either harsh words or silent memories because we were a completely different team.

Ultimately there were too many mistakes on the night to justify three points without Liverpool scoring a real silver lining, but that’s not really Slot’s fault.

Maybe one or two too many injuries at the moment to keep the team rotating as often as he wanted, and with the frequency of games it always had to play catch-up.

A big boost will be needed on Saturday in the form of faster starts.