Jurgen Klopp paid a gracious tribute to Newcastle United’s fight and spirit following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over a ten-man Magpies side at St James’ Park, speaking to the Premier League side’s official website.
Eddie Howe singled out one Liverpool player at full-time on Saturday afternoon.
That it was Alisson Becker, rather than Mo Salah or Cody Gakpo, spoke volumes about the direction of travel for much of a high-octane encounter on Tyneside; the hosts giving as good as they got even when 2-0 down and following Nick Pope’s most needless of red cards.
Alisson ended the game with four saves. Many of them outstanding.
The never-say-die attitude that Howe has instilled in his Newcastle team, even in the face of such adversity, will certainly stand them in good stead in next week’s EFL Cup final vs Manchester United. Even without their talismanic shot-stopper.
Nick Pope sent off as Newcastle United lose 2-0 to Liverpool
“We didn’t score (a third goal and that) keeps the game exciting. And Newcastle, all credit to them, they put a proper shift in,” Klopp reflects.
“They really wanted to go for it. They fought really hard. That’s why it was exciting until the end, but we got the three points and we are very happy about that.”
Champions League-chasing Newcastle have only lost twice in the Premier League all season. Funnily enough, both of those came against a Liverpool side enduring their most difficult campaign of the Klopp era; Saturday’s first-half capitulation coming six months after Fabio Carvalho (who wasn’t even in the squad this weekend) slammed a 97th minute volley into the roof of Pope’s neet.
“I loved the goals, the way we moved,” Klopp smiles; Darwin Nunez’s opener coming prior to Gakpo’s second in two games. “The vision from the passes. Trent (Alexander Arnold); top pass, super control from Darwin. A super goal.
“Then the second goal; real good link-up play and then the chip from Mo for Cody. Top goals, honestly. That’s how it is when you can play a bit more together.”
Following a run of just two wins in eight matches after the Qatar World Cup, Newcastle’s latest setbacks means there is a grand total of six points separating themselves from a resurgent Liverpool.
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