Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Monday evening
Liverpool continued the new Premier League season with a dramatic victory against Newcastle United on Monday evening. The Reds were two goals ahead through Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike against their 10-man hosts but were subsequently pegged back by efforts from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula.
Substitute Rio Ngumoha then netted on his Premier League in the 10th minute of injury time to become the youngest scorer in Liverpool’s history and ensure a hard-earned three points.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes (and a bit more) at St James’ Park…
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Slot goes missing
This wasn’t a game for the faint-hearted and it didn’t take long for matters to become rather heated on the touchline. And in the first half, Slot had significant reason to be grumpy.
One such instance saw him turn away from the action and rant animatedly to nobody in particular after Dominik Szoboszlai became one of many Liverpool players to concede a soft free-kick.
Mind you, Slot was nowhere to be seen when Ekitike scored the visitors’ second having not returned to the dugout from the tunnel after half-time. Bit quicker next time, Arne.
Tindall the terror
The key flashpoint in a game of many was the red card for Anthony Gordon, dismissed for an unwise lunge on Virgil van Dijk. Replays suggested referee Simon Hooper eventually made the correct decision.
But the home fans who could see the incident later played on the screen inside the stadium took a very different view with their audible outrage increasing as a consequence.
And pantomime villain Jason Tindall, the Newcastle assistant boss, made a point of waiting until only the match officials remained on the pitch at the end of the first half and then loitered at the entrance of the tunnel as they departed. Wonder what he was keen to talk about.
Alex party
Mercifully, the whirlwind of action on the field meant Alexander Isak was the great unspoken for much of the game. Well, until Liverpool went two goals ahead, that is.
It was then that the travelling Reds declared Isak was correct in wanting to leave Tyneside for Merseyside and later chanted “Hand him over, Newcastle”.
That was all the excuse the home fans required to break their silence, it speaking volumes when they delivered a sweary response suggesting the striker is somewhat greedy, presumably for initially seeking an improved contract. Don’t forget, this is a player Newcastle value at £150million.
Murphy class
It wasn’t all rancour and rants, though. And there were a couple of wholesome moments at the start of either half at St James’ Park.
Before the game, home substitute Jacob Murphy made a point of playing a series of individual one-twos with each match mascot and giving them applause and a thumbs up for the accuracy of their return pass.
And Reds sub Joe Gomez could be spotted embracing fellow England international Kieran Trippier as he returned to the dugout ahead of the second half. Friends.