PLAYER RATING: Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool: Gravenberch was overwhelmed; Salah must to have a new contract

What a game and what a performance from both sets of players in an absolutely stunning second-half.

Mohamed Salah must be wondering how he left the pitch with only one point after scoring twice hitting the bar and providing an assist.

He thought he had the winner when in the 83rd minute he grabbed his second goal to put Liverpool 3-2 ahead.

But Newcastle were worthy of a point and in the final minute of normal time earned it through Fabian Schar.

Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players…

Caoimhin Kelleher – 5

Had almost nothing to do for half an hour then had absolutely no chance at all with Alexander Isak’s hammer hit. Brilliant stop minutes later to deny Anthony Gordon one on one.

It definitely was when he misjudged a last-minute free-kick, left it to fly over him…and was touched in at the far post.

Jarell Quansah – 6

Defensively it was a tough start against the pace of Gordon, but he didn’t just sit back – one driving run saw him tee up Mo Salah for a sight of goal, before also racing back to slide an important interception.

On the other hand he was run inside several times and got booked for hauling back his man after losing the ball himself.

A tough outing at right-back – looked more assured when moved to the centre but maybe lucky to not see a penalty against him too

Joe Gomez – 7

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

However, he then also completely whiffed a back-pass which should have given Newcastle a second goal. He owes Caoimh a beer.

Big brave block on the hour to halt a fierce Gordon shot.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

Excellent reading of the game and stepping across to make several cut-outs in a first half littered with mistakes from those in red shirts.

Didn’t manage to halt Isak when he scored the opener but that was far from an error, just a brilliant early strike.

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

Andy Robertson – 5

Got high upfield with regularity early on but to no real effect.

His crosses – from deep or the byline – didn’t really come close to finding a red shirt and he very nearly erred in his box to gift a chance for Newcastle with a bad clearance.

Looked very slow on the turn too when longer balls were played to Murphy behind him.

A lot of games in a row at the moment for Robbo and maybe energy conservation might need to be the name of the game

Ryan Gravenberch – 5

Sloppy first touch several times in the first 45, leading to him losing the ball in poor areas or missing the chance to spin into space.

A bit better in possession after the break but never at the level he has been most of the season. As he must now start (and perform) against Everton it made sense to sub him here.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7

Had the two first efforts, one great strike well-saved and another just deflected onto the post.

However, he was booked 20 minutes into the match for a fairly soft challenge – but it was a costly one, as he’ll be suspended against Everton.

Really was the one who tried to raise the tempo, get into Newcastle‘s midfield and push the Reds upfield. Great defensive work even after his yellow.

Curtis Jones – 7

In and out of the game first half but started the second by clipping into the near top post for a much-needed equaliser.

Almost headed in a second soon after, then moved to No. 6 after the triple sub.

Mohamed Salah – 8 – Man of the Match

Loose touches characterised his, and much of the Reds’, first half – in particular when he was played in by Quansah and mis-controlled.

But it’s Salah, you expect something to happen even when he’s poor: so when the second half starts up and he ghosts infield and tees up an equaliser with the perfect weighted pass, that’s just normal these days.

Did nothing for another 15 minutes and then took control to score a swiped right-footed equaliser, smash the bar with nothing to aim at and bury his second on the swivel.

Twenty-one goals or assists in the league this season already. Pay him. Keep him.

Cody Gakpo – 6

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

However this was a game he had no impact in the first half: partly no supply, but also just one where Newcastle made the game narrow and aggressive, leaving our widest outlet as an onlooker most of the time.

Flashed one shot wide and headed across goal in a much brighter start to the second 45, but soon faded again and was hooked in the triple sub.

Darwin Nunez – 5

Offered some early runs down the left channel but without much service or end product when he did get in possession. Showed the usual endeavour to track back and try to bring energy to the team.

Somehow couldn’t connect from a yard out after the equaliser, then was booked for dissent for accurately displaying the ineptitude of the referee.

Scuffed a really decent chance wide from seven yards.

Substitutes

Trent Alexander-Arnold (on for Gomez, 66′) – 7

Came on, assisted, fouled Gordon and was booked – a busy three minutes. Then assisted Salah again for his brace. Defensively definitely suspect in a frantic game but starts on Saturday.

Luis Diaz (on for Gakpo, 66′) – 6

Didn’t really get anywhere with his attempted dribbles or cut-ins, but stretched play and ran at the defence plenty.

Dominik Szoboszlai (on for Gravenberch, 66′) – 7

Immediately involved in the move for a goal, plus a brilliant stepover in the buildup for our third. Another definite starter at the weekend.

Related Posts

SHOCK: Scott Disick angrily slapped Kourtney in the face when he learned that Reign’s son’s DNA test result was his…see more

In a shocking turn of events, Scott Disick reportedly slapped Kourtney Kardashian after receiving the bombshell news that DNA results confirmed Reign, their youngest child, is actually Justin Bieber’s son….

Read more

BREAKING NEWS: It was confirmed over an hour ago in Chicago that “America’s Got Talent” judge Simon Cowell has… see more

In a shocking and deeply saddening turn of events, the passing of Simon Cowell, the renowned judge on America’s Got Talent and a leading figure in the entertainment industry, has been confirmed….

Read more

TRISTE NOTICIA: 15 muertos y al menos 30 heridos mientras el FBI continúa la investigación sobre el ataque terrorista en Nueva Orleans. El sospechoso del ataque con camión en Nueva Orleans se inspiró en… ver más

Al menos 15 personas murieron y al menos 30 resultaron heridas después de que un hombre condujo un camión contra una multitud en las calles Bourbon y Canal en Nueva…

Read more

LATEST NEWS: Idaho State Police just discovered in time that Brent Sharrai, 40 years old, had placed a homemade bomb on a train car. While trying to detonate it, he…see more

Police halted train activity for hours after footprints in the snow led officers to an explosive device on a train car on New Year’s Day. The Payette Police Department said…

Read more

SAD NEWS: Richard Gere, 74, an American actor and philanthropist known for his roles as suave characters in romantic comedies, has been diagnosed with…See more

Hollywood actor, Richard Gere, 73, is reportedly recovering after he was hospitalized with pneumonia during his family trip to Mexico to celebrate his wife Alejandra Silva’s 40th birthday. TMZ reports…

Read more

LeBron James Exudes Style in UNKNWN Debut Private Label Collection Lookbook

о𝚗е σf UNKNWN’s fσu𝚗Ԁеɾs, LеBɾσ𝚗 Jаmеs, ιs ҺιɡҺlιɡҺtеԀ ι𝚗 tҺе lσσƙbσσƙ fσɾ tҺе busι𝚗еss’s Ԁеbut ι𝚗-Һσusе аρρаɾеl lι𝚗е, Ԁιsρlаyι𝚗ɡ Һιs ιmρеccаblе tаstе. Clаssy а𝚗Ԁ еlеɡа𝚗t, tҺе fιɾst UNKNWN Cσllеctισ𝚗 ɾеlеаsе,…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *