- Liverpool dropped points for the first time this season after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park
- Mohamed Salah's two goals looked set to secure a win until Fabian Schar's stunning 90th-minute equaliser saved the day for Newcastle
- Liverpool remain seven points clear at the top, but defensive lapses in the final moments of games could cost them points
Merseyside club Liverpool's perfect Premier League campaign took an unexpected hit as Newcastle United battled them to a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James’ Park. In a match that saw relentless drama, Fabian Schar’s stunning late equaliser secured a point for Eddie Howe’s side, denying Liverpool an important win.
The match began with Newcastle taking control. Alexander Isak fired the hosts ahead with a powerful finish in the 35th minute, as the Magpies sought to end their long winless run against Liverpool, which stretched back to December 2015. Liverpool, however, struck back early in the second half when Curtis Jones, making his 150th appearance for the Reds, slotted in a shot following a sublime pass from Mohamed Salah.
The back-and-forth encounter reached another dramatic moment when Anthony Gordon restored Newcastle’s lead in the 62nd minute, capitalising on an Isak assist to delight the raucous home crowd. Yet Liverpool's resilience shone through. Substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold twice turned provider for Salah, who equalised in the 68th minute before putting the Reds ahead in the 85th with a clinical finish.
With victory seemingly secured, Liverpool's defensive frailties were exposed. A misjudged clearance from goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher left Schar with a slim chance at the back post following a Bruno Guimaraes free-kick. From an almost impossible angle, the Swiss defender stretched to meet the ball on his weaker foot and somehow steered it into the net in the 90th minute, sparking wild celebrations among the Newcastle home stand.
Reflecting on the dramatic finish, Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot said,
“It was unbelievable how the defender, with his wrong leg, could score that goal.”
Slot wasn’t the only one surprised by the goal! Schar himself also admitted he was trying to keep the ball in play more than anything, rather than attempting to score.
The draw means Liverpool maintain a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League, but the dropped points could prove costly in a tightly contested title race. Up next, they face Everton in a Merseyside derby, while Newcastle visit Brentford.
Mohammed Salah saves Reds from Saints in 5-goal thriller
Previously, TheRadar reported that Egypt’s Mohamed Salah once again proved to be Liverpool’s talisman as his brace helped the Reds to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium. The win shot Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The result keeps Liverpool firmly in control of the Premier League title race, with Salah’s display once again proving his value to the team.
