Nunez nets last-gasp winner for Liverpool
Published: 04:08 PM,Aug 28,2023 | EDITED : 08:08 PM,Aug 28,2023
Andy Jalil
NEWCASTLE, AUG 28
Two late goals by substitute Darwin Nunez, just as the match seemed to be slipping away from them, gave Liverpool a thrilling win over Newcastle despite being reduced to 10 men within half-an-hour of the start.
A relieved Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp said: “In my 1,000 games as a coach, I’ve never had a game like this. With 10 men in an atmosphere like this, against an opponent like this, I am pretty sure it never happened. These moments are rare and super special. I said at half-time that this (could be) something we can tell our grandkids. I will see mine in 10 days and I will tell them.”
On match-winner (substitute) Nunez, Klopp said the Uruguayan was fired up after not starting games and used this to his advantage to prove the boss wrong. “I just gave him a hug and encourage him to try for the team. He is not happy about not starting but you cannot have more than 11 players playing so you have to have stability.”
Newcastle took the lead after 25 minutes when Trent Alexander Arnold made the mistake of letting a pass from Mo Salah go under his foot and Anthony Gordon sped away to get inside the area and slot the ball between Alisson’s legs.
Just three minutes later, Liverpool were down to 10 players with the captain Virgil Van Dijk shown the red card. He brought down Alexander Isak on the edge of the area when the player had a clear opportunity of scoring. Van Dijk was straightaway given marching orders and he might be given further punishment for confronting the referee and his foul-mouthed outburst at the fourth official.
Newcastle were denied a second goal by a superb save by Alisson when he pushed a shot from Sandro Tonali on to the bar and then palming the ball away as it fell in front of the goal. Klopp made three substitutions and that seemed to lift Liverpool’s confidence. Meanwhile Miguel Almiron was unlucky to strike a post with a powerful drive which would have brought a second goal for the hosts.
With nine minutes remaining of normal time, Sven Botman’s mistake gave the visitors the equaliser. He failed to cut out Diogo Jota’s pass to Nunez who drove his shot in first time off the inside of the post and that further lifted the spirit of Liverpool as they went on into the attack.
Three minutes into added-on time came Liverpool’s winning goal with Salah’s pass beating Dan Burn and Nunez raced ahead to put his shot into the net for a memorable win.
An annoyed Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, said: “Today is a tough one. I thought we were excellent. I want them (his players) to be hurting. We pride ourselves on trying to win and if we can’t then we do everything to draw the game. This is a game we shouldn’t have lost. This is as painful as (last minute loss) at Liverpool last year.”
NEWCASTLE, AUG 28
Two late goals by substitute Darwin Nunez, just as the match seemed to be slipping away from them, gave Liverpool a thrilling win over Newcastle despite being reduced to 10 men within half-an-hour of the start.
A relieved Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp said: “In my 1,000 games as a coach, I’ve never had a game like this. With 10 men in an atmosphere like this, against an opponent like this, I am pretty sure it never happened. These moments are rare and super special. I said at half-time that this (could be) something we can tell our grandkids. I will see mine in 10 days and I will tell them.”
On match-winner (substitute) Nunez, Klopp said the Uruguayan was fired up after not starting games and used this to his advantage to prove the boss wrong. “I just gave him a hug and encourage him to try for the team. He is not happy about not starting but you cannot have more than 11 players playing so you have to have stability.”
Newcastle took the lead after 25 minutes when Trent Alexander Arnold made the mistake of letting a pass from Mo Salah go under his foot and Anthony Gordon sped away to get inside the area and slot the ball between Alisson’s legs.
Just three minutes later, Liverpool were down to 10 players with the captain Virgil Van Dijk shown the red card. He brought down Alexander Isak on the edge of the area when the player had a clear opportunity of scoring. Van Dijk was straightaway given marching orders and he might be given further punishment for confronting the referee and his foul-mouthed outburst at the fourth official.
Newcastle were denied a second goal by a superb save by Alisson when he pushed a shot from Sandro Tonali on to the bar and then palming the ball away as it fell in front of the goal. Klopp made three substitutions and that seemed to lift Liverpool’s confidence. Meanwhile Miguel Almiron was unlucky to strike a post with a powerful drive which would have brought a second goal for the hosts.
With nine minutes remaining of normal time, Sven Botman’s mistake gave the visitors the equaliser. He failed to cut out Diogo Jota’s pass to Nunez who drove his shot in first time off the inside of the post and that further lifted the spirit of Liverpool as they went on into the attack.
Three minutes into added-on time came Liverpool’s winning goal with Salah’s pass beating Dan Burn and Nunez raced ahead to put his shot into the net for a memorable win.
An annoyed Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, said: “Today is a tough one. I thought we were excellent. I want them (his players) to be hurting. We pride ourselves on trying to win and if we can’t then we do everything to draw the game. This is a game we shouldn’t have lost. This is as painful as (last minute loss) at Liverpool last year.”