Alexander Isak watched from elsewhere in the north-east while Anthony Gordon deputised at centre-forward, missed presentable chances and was sent off for a first-half tackle on Virgil van Dijk. Hugo Ekitike figured in transfer speculation as Isak continues efforts to move to Anfield. The summer's acrimonious transfer saga fuelled a charged atmosphere and intense on-field rivalry. Arne Slot and Eddie Howe maintain cordial relations, yet tensions between the teams remained. Ryan Gravenberch received an early booking for a harsh tackle on Bruno Guimaraes. Will Osula levelled late and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha secured the win in the 100th minute.
Might Alexander Isak have felt the tiniest bit guilty at the sight of his understudy, Anthony Gordon, missing a couple of extremely presentable chances before becoming so overwrought he was sent off for a ridiculous first-half tackle on Virgil Van Dijk? How did Newcastle's currently striking star striker assess Hugo Ekitike's performance? And, even as he continues to endeavour to engineer a move to Anfield where he hopes to partner Ekitike in Liverpool's team,
What was abundantly clear though was that the emotions engendered by the summer's longest and most acrimonious transfer saga provoked a night of compelling, wild drama. Arne Slot has said he is closer to Eddie Howe than any other Premier League coach but, if Liverpool and Newcastle's managers are on friendly texting terms, relations between their teams remain somewhat frostier.
If Liverpool wanted revenge for that Wembley defeat, the sheer fury of a Newcastle crowd incensed by the Anfield club's pursuit of Isak, and their perceived audacity in hijacking Howe's move for Ekitike transmitted itself to Howe's team. Before too long Gordon would self-destruct but, for a while, he rattled Liverpool. The England winger, once again deputising for Isak out of position at centre-forward, may not be exactly reliable in front of goal but Gordon is extremely clever at winning dangerous free-kicks.
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