Late headed goal gives Liverpool the 3-2 win

Newcastle United come from behind twice, but fall 3-2 to Liverpool at St. James’ Park.

It was an entertaining game at St. James’ Park as Newcastle United came from behind twice, but Liverpool took all three points thanks to an own goal from Jamaal Lascelles. Here is how the thrilling game played out on Tyneside tonight.

First Half

The opening five minutes of the game saw Newcastle dominating the possession stats and the Magpies were quick to apply pressure and recover the ball from the opposition. Liverpool began to wake up around the seventh minute as they entered Newcastle’s penalty area twice, but Jamaal Lascelles, Javier Manquillo and Paul Dummett were quick to intercept and clear the danger.

Sadio Mane made a brilliant run into the box in the 10th minute, but Fabian Schar made a solid defensive challenge to disrupt the attack. In the same minute, Mohamed Salah had a good look at goal, but his shot from a few feet away went high and wide.

Salah threatened Martin Dubravka’s goal once again the 12th minute, but a block from Matt Ritchie gifted the Reds with a corner kick, which resulted in a goal. Virgil van Dijk was left unmarked and buried a header in the back of the net.

Newcastle United wasted no time finding the equalizer as Christian Atsu scored off a rebound shot in the 20th minute. A great cross from Javier Manquillo found Matt Ritchie in the box, he then found Salomon Rondon and his shot was blocked off the line, but it fell to Atsu and the Ghanian scored with ease.

The Magpies came close to scoring a second goal a minute later when Ritchie’s cross found Manquillo, but the Spaniard’s header was saved by Alisson. Two minutes later, Ayoze Perez struck a photogenic volley, but his attempt shook the crossbar.

Liverpool, out of nowhere, took the lead in the 27th minute through Salah, who scored his 22nd goal of the season. A quick cross from the right flank found the Egyptian striker unmarked as he passed the ball into the side netting to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Mane almost made it 3-1 for Liverpool when he got in a one-on-one position with Dubrakva, but the Slovakian made a big save with his right knee to keep the score 2-1. The remainder of the half witnessed a scrappy affair in midfield with both teams trading possession. Rondon had a decent chance in the 41st minute from outside the box, but his shot lacked power and led to a simple save.

At the end of the half, Newcastle created seven chances, with five being on target, but only had 29% of the possession. Liverpool also created seven chances and they had 79% of the ball. It was a lively and entertaining first half at St. James’ Park.

Second Half

The second half got off to a lively start and Newcastle almost leveled the score through Rondon in the 49th minute, but his grounded shot was saved by Alisson. A minute later, Daniel Sturridge had an open look at goal from inside the box, but he sent his shot into the stands.

Rondon finally got the goal he was searching for in the 54th minute. The Venezuelan scored from the middle of the box off a Newcastle corner kick. After a poor clearance, Rondon got the ball and he fired it past Alisson’s goal. That goal was Rondon’s 10th of the campaign.

St. James’ Park was booming after that goal and the Toon Army broke out the following chant in the 58th minute: “We want you to stay, we want you to stay, Rafa Benitez, we want you to stay!” The game certainly opened up after Rondon’s equalizer and Newcastle definitely looked more comfortable than Liverpool.

The 68th minute witnessed a scary moment for Liverpool. Salah went down holding his head after he collided with Dubravka in an aerial dual. Divick Origi was immediately told to suit up to replace the league’s top scorer, who was unfortunately carried off in a stretcher.

Both teams continued to press forward down the flanks delivering crosses into the box, but no meaningful chances were created. Liverpool finally got the winner in the 87th minute after Xherdan Shaqiri’s curling cross was aimed for Divock Origi, but it was Jamaal Lascelles who scored an own goal.

Eight minutes of stoppage time were added after the 90th minute and the game remained opened with both teams taking turns attacking. Despite their efforts to find an equalizer for the third time, Newcastle failed to make it 3-3. Liverpool took all three points at the final whistle.