Newcastle 2 – 3 Liverpool
Sportswashers: Guimaraes 57’, Osula 88’
The Mighty Reds: Gravenberch 35’, Ekitike 46’, Ngumoha 90+10’
Prematch
As suspected, Liverpool start the match without a designated right back. It seems as if Dominik Szoboszlai will be deployed there instead, at least to start with. However, Bradley and Gomez were both fit enough to make the bench, so the gaffer might be able to turn to them if needed in the second half, even if they are not fit enough for 90.
Elsewhere, Ekitike leads the line with Gakpo and Salah on either flank. Wirtz, Jones, and Gravenberch make up the midfield, and Kerkez, Van Dijk, and Konate round out the back line. Alisson, of course, starts between the sticks. As was the case last week, Liverpool do not have a ton of attacking options to bring off the bench, though Chiesa is welcome to continue making a tit out of me.
Newcastle will no doubt be “up for it” tonight, especially after the Alexander Isak Transfer Saga this summer. Liverpool will need to be on it if they want to continue their perfect start to the season. Oh, and Simon Hooper (and his accompanying three (3) brain cells) will be the ref tonight, so you can just go ahead an pre-load that PL ref rage right now.
First Half
And in the second minute Joelinton kicks Gakpo in the head and isn’t shown a caution. COOL. Newcastle throw in two more yellow-worthy challenges in the opening few minutes, but of course it’s a Liverpool player—Gravenberch—who gets cautioned first. So predictable. At least these stoppages seem to ahve take a bit of the early heat out of the home crowd.
Aside from Hooper falling for all of Newcastle’s bullshit, the home side is dominating in the early stages here. The Reds simply cannot get out right now, and will just have to suffer for a bit until the home side blow themselves out.
Konate also goes into the book, this time for a very deserved (and perhaps necessary) foul.
Liverpool take the lead against the run of play! Gravenberch takes a speculative effort from distance, and the low shot kisses the inside of the post and goes in! It’s even sweeter after Jones got absolutely clattered on the edge of the box without a call.
And now Newcastle are down to 10 men! Gordon goes in hard on Van Dijk, catches him with the his studs up above the shins, and after a VAR check, Hooper has no choice but to give him his marching orders. In all seriousness, it’s lucky that Virgil didn’t’ get his leg broken, and it is precisely these kinds of challenges that VAR should be used to ensure player safety.
Despite the scoreline, not a great half by The Reds. However, they were able to ride their luck and mostly keep Newcastle at bay while the hosts were on top. Gravenberch’s goal came just as Newcastle were starting to flag, and their frustration no doubt led to Gordon’s horribly stupid and violent challenge right at the end of the half. Hopefully Liverpool can get an early second goal, and get back to Merseyside with all limbs still intact.
Second Half
Well, Liverpool score almost directly from kickoff! And they didn’t even kickoff! Ekitike picked up on a Gakpo blocked shot and simply passed it into the corner. 2-0 to the Scousers!
Newcastle pull one back through a headed goal after Kerkez gets absolutely dominated at the backpost.
Other than the very start of the half, Liverpool have once again been on the back foot. It would be quite nice if we once again started playing like we had more men on the pitch. Not to be controversial.
With about 10 minutes of regular time to go, Slot brings on Bradley and Chiesa for Ekitike and Wirtz.
Newcastle equalize through free kick from inside their own half. Liverpool had a suicidally high line, and were punished.
Rio and Elliott come on for Jones and Gakpo as Slot’s last throw of the dice. Can The Reds find another late miracle?
FUCKING YES WE CAN!!!! AND OF COURSE IT’S RIO NGUMOHA!!! It’s a phenonmenal finish after a beauty of a Szoboszlai dummy. EAT SHIT YOU SPORTSWASHING CUNTS!!!
Final Thoughts
Liverpool let Newcastle off the hook with a late equalizer last year, and nearly did the same this year. After being two goals to the good and having an extra man for a full half. After also giving up a two goal lead last week. Unacceptable, even under these circumstances. We failed to have any semblance of control, even while up a man, and looked vulnerable on set pieces, which doesn’t bode well against Arsenal.
But. Fuck it. We got the points.