The Mag
·6 December 2024
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·6 December 2024
Wednesday night’s match ended Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3.
Ahead of each game we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the game.
Plenty to talk about after this one…
On this occasion it is David Punton:
POSITIVES
Setting a standard
That was much more like it from United.
They had to improve after Palace and West Ham and they managed that, up against a very good Liverpool team.
The standard has been set going forward and this is the sort of intensity and finishing we need to see.
It just goes to show that a week’s a long time in football.
Selhurst Park, a draw that felt like a defeat, here a draw that almost felt like a win.
I’m steadfast that both remain very good points.
Shooting boots
We were back to creating chances and scoring goals.
Isak was in beast mode. That strike will live long in the memory. He’s a Rolls Royce of a centre forward.
Gordon was back in amongst the scorers too and the goal celebration showed he’s aware of all the noise about his future.
It seems typical Newcastle that we get our mojo back when we are up against the stellar opposition.
We had some very good chances, more of which ought to have been taken, and after no shots on goal at Palace this was the perfect tonic.
The focus is sticking more chances away and Wilson back on the bench is surely a big plus, if he can stay fit.
Midfield gel
Bruno and Tonali dovetailed really well at times.
It’s been a big talking point this season – can the two of them play in the same side?
With Tonali in as the number 6, then yes, they can. Hopefully, this is the start of seeing some better showings from our Italian star.
Officialdom
Every right to feel aggrieved.
Referee Andy Madley was pretty awful.
No action taken for Virgil van Dijk’s assault on Gordon. It looked a straight red for violent conduct.
I assume the VAR team were at the loo when this happened? It wasn’t even looked at, in what many perceive as so-called ‘big team bias’ when it comes to officiating in this league.
They also missed the stonewall penalty when Isak was hacked down in the Liverpool penalty area.
To not to get those big decisions was costly.
Stretched out
Liverpool were a stern test and defensively we struggled for periods.
There were a fair few moments where on another night those chances for the Reds would have scored more. The woodwork saved us!
It shows we still need to freshen up the defence and get Botman back in the saddle.
Possession problem
We definitely need to work on not giving the ball away cheaply.
It seemed a problem at times and it’s one for the manager to focus on ahead of Brentford.
Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3 – Wednesday 4 December 7.30pm
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Isak 35, Gordon 62, Schar 90
Liverpool:
Jones 50, Salah 68, 83
Possession was Newcastle 41% Liverpool 59%
Total shots were Newcastle 17 Liverpool 16
Shots on target were Newcastle 6 Liverpool 5
Corners were Newcastle 5 Liverpool 6
Touches in the box Newcastle 21 Liverpool 35
Newcastle United team v Liverpool:
Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali (Longstaff 87), Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 88), Gordon (Wilson 87), Isak, Jacob Murphy (Barnes 74)
Unused subs:
Dubravka, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Kelly
(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Very interesting on Newcastle United after Liverpool draw – Read HERE)
(Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
(WOW! Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3 – Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:
Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Weekend of Saturday 11 January – Newcastle v Bromley TBC
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)