Nunez double grabs 10-man Liverpool win at Newcastle

Darwin Nunez atoned for Liverpool’s first-half errors and clinched a remarkable three points at NewcastleDarwin Nunez struck two late goals to complete a remarkable turnaround and give ten-man Liverpool a dramatic victory against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Liverpool were battling against the odds and second best for much of a thrilling encounter, falling behind to Anthony Gordon’s 25th-minute goal after he cashed in on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mistake, then seeing captain Virgil van Dijk sent off for a foul on Alexander Isak three minutes later. Alisson kept Liverpool in it by miraculously turning Miguel Almiron’s shot on to the woodwork in the first half, the forward also hitting the post after the break, before Uruguay striker Nunez was introduced to stunning effect. Nunez ran through to rifle a shot past Newcastle keeper Nick Pope with nine minutes left, then took Mohamed Salah’s pass in his stride three minutes into stoppage time before applying an equally emphatic finish to give Liverpool an astonishing win. Liverpool dig deep to stun MagpiesLiverpool’s win was a triumph for strength of character and stickability because they spent so much of this match outnumbered, out of sorts and clinging on before they suddenly clicked into gear and took the points. The starting point must be goalkeeper Alisson, who produced that remarkable save from Almiron when Liverpool were 1-0 down, somehow turning his powerful shot on to the frame of the goal. All reality suggests even Jurgen Klopp’s side would not have come back from that. Liverpool shifted the emphasis of the game with the introduction of substitutes Diogo Jota and Nunez, positive moves in a very negative situation, suddenly giving them a threat when before it had been merely about survival. Nunez has been very much hit and miss since his big-money move from Benfica, but he was all hit here on Tyneside, that first explosive finish sending shockwaves through St James’ Park, the stadium suddenly rocking with nerves rather than celebration. Just as a point looked like Liverpool’s reward, Nunez delivered again to send Klopp – who had spent so much of the afternoon frustrated and angry – wild with celebration on the touchline at the end of this eventful afternoon. Newcastle stunned by smash and grab Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and his players looked almost bewildered as the final whistle sounded after a rollercoaster encounter and Liverpool were celebrating a superb smash-and-grab win. They were left to rue failing to take advantage when they were in complete command against Liverpool, reduced to ten men, a goal behind and struggling to cope with the intensity of Newcastle’s pressing game. Alisson was the barrier, while the woodwork also stopped Newcastle extending the lead given to them by Gordon’s smooth finish – chances missed and opportunities squandered before they paid a heavy price. There was also carelessness when substitute Harvey Barnes selfishly went alone with Callum Wilson unmarked in front of goal with the score 1-0 – and with Liverpool’s array of attacking talent the danger always lurks, as Newcastle found to their cost. It made it two defeats from Newcastle’s first three games after the opening-weekend thrashing of Aston Villa, and this one will cause real pain because they will know they should have had this one wrapped up before Nunez’s late double. helpHow to playRate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfectionNewcastle UnitedSquad number22Player namePopeSquad number2Player nameTrippierSquad number5Player nameSchärSquad number4Player nameBotmanSquad number33Player nameBurnSquad number8Player nameTonaliSquad number39Player nameBruno GuimarãesSquad number7Player nameJoelintonSquad number24Player nameAlmirónSquad number14Player nameIsakSquad number10Player nameGordonSquad number9Player nameWilsonSquad number13Player nameTargettSquad number15Player nameBarnesSquad number32Player nameAndersonSquad number36Player nameS LongstaffLine-upsNewcastleFormation 4-3-322Pope2Trippier5Schär4Botman33Burn8Tonali39Bruno Guimarães7Joelinton24Almirón14Isak10Gordon22Pope2TrippierBooked at 51mins5Schär4BotmanSubstituted forTargettat 87’minutes33Burn8TonaliSubstituted forS Longstaffat 72’minutes39Bruno Guimarães7JoelintonSubstituted forAndersonat 82’minutes24Almirón14IsakSubstituted forWilsonat 72’minutes10GordonSubstituted forBarnesat 72’minutesSubstitutes1Dúbravka6Lascelles9Wilson13Targett15Barnes21Livramento23Murphy32Anderson36S LongstaffLiverpoolFormation 4-3-31Alisson66Alexander-Arnold32Matip4van Dijk26Robertson8Szoboszlai3Endo10Mac Allister11Salah18Gakpo7Díaz1Alisson66Alexander-ArnoldBooked at 6mins32MatipSubstituted forQuansahat 77’minutes4van DijkBooked at 28mins26Robertson8Szoboszlai3EndoSubstituted forElliottat 58’minutes10Mac AllisterSubstituted forNúñezat 77’minutesBooked at 85mins11Salah18GakpoSubstituted forJotaat 58’minutes7DíazSubstituted forGomezat 33’minutesSubstitutes2Gomez9Núñez19Elliott20Jota21Tsimikas43Bajcetic50Doak62Kelleher78QuansahReferee:John BrooksAttendance:52,214Live TextMatch ends, Newcastle United 1, Liverpool 2.Second Half ends, Newcastle United 1, Liverpool 2.Attempt missed. Nick Pope (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top left corner following a set piece situation.Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.Foul by Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool).Goal! Newcastle United 1, Liverpool 2. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mohamed Salah with a through ball.Attempt saved. Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.Foul by Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United).Diogo Jota (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.Attempt saved. Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bruno Guimarães.Attempt blocked. Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.Substitution, Newcastle United. Matt Targett replaces Sven Botman because of an injury.Delay over. They are ready to continue.Delay in match because of an injury Sven Botman (Newcastle United).Attempt missed. Sven Botman (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kieran Trippier following a set piece situation.Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card.Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Foul by Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool).Attempt blocked. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mohamed Salah.

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