Nunez got on the end of the pass to score the opener.
Jamie Redknapp claims that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass which set-up Darwin Nunez’s goal will go down in history as one of the best in the Premier League.
Liverpool vs Newcastle is always an interesting affair, but for the first time in decades, the odds were heavily stacked in favour of the Toon Army.
The Reds have struggled this season and sat in ninth place while Newcastle boasted the best defence in the league and look destined to get fourth place.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s men put the much-famed defence under pressure from the very start and a beautiful pass from Alexander-Arnold left their backs in no mans land and put it on a plate for Nunez.
The Uruguayan finished brilliantly with a thunderous strike, but it was all about the perfectly weighted ball that split the defence in two.
At half-time Jamie Redknapp claimed that it will “go down in history” as one of the best passes ever in the Premier League, which is high praise for a player who has faced a lot of scrutiny.
NUNEZ fires Liverpool in front! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/Rf1IhYIxvJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 18, 2023
Mo Salah didn’t want the right back to get all of the glory however, and chipped in a delightful ball for Cody Gakpo to score his second ever Premier League goal, and Liverpool’s second of the night.
Things went from bad to worse when Nick Pope sprinted out of his goal to attempt to intercept a through ball to Salah, only to slide and stop the ball with his hands even though he was outside the box.
This resulted in a straight red for the keeper, meaning the team’s number two, Martin Dubravka, had to be subbed on, with Elliot Anderson coming off.
NIGHTMARE! Nick Pope is SENT OFF! 🟥
He will now MISS the Carabao Cup final… pic.twitter.com/kDaVTZSA6T
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 18, 2023
This red card has a huge knock on effect for the upcoming League Cup final against Manchester United because not only will Pope be suspended for it, but Dubravka is cup tied.
Newcastle’s third choice keeper is none other than Loris Karius, the former Liverpool shot stopper who left the club under a dark cloud.
Karius last played in a final in 2018, when the then Reds’ keeper let in two howlers against Real Madrid in the Champions League decider.
Newcastle were the better side in the second half despite being down to 10 men and Klopp will still have some concerns defensively, although the clean sheet should help their confidence.
The Reds did create plenty of opportunities on the counter, Diogo Jota being the most guilty after missing a golden opportunity.
Liverpool play Real Madrid on Tuesday on the back of two good performances, so they will head into the tie in a much better state of mind than they would have just a week ago.
Related links:
- Shay Given believes that only two Liverpool players would make Newcastle team
- Everyone gets at least one wrong in this Liverpool Newcastle players quiz
- Ian Wright believes that Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez is “playing sensationally“
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