Liverpool v Newcastle United A Liverpool Perspective
A second excellent performance in a row, this was more obviously dominant than the one against Manchester City. This time, Liverpool controlled the play with the ball, rather than without it. Against Citeh, it was about forcing them into areas they did not want to go, but letting them have the ball. Newcastle were not allowed to play at all, barely even getting the ball. Some of the football on display was breathtaking, a proper display of pass and move to make even the most discerning Liverpool fan proud.
Tactically, it was more of the usual system Slot has employed, with a little tweak or two. The main change was how the full-backs were employed. We have seen all season that Alexander-Arnold has been the one with license to maraud down the flank, while the left-back mainly sits in and acts almost as a left-sided centre-back. Against Newcastle, Alexander-Arnold sat back, almost playing as a centre-back, while the left-back, Tsimikas, charged forward at will. That allowed Alexander-Arnold to spray the ball about at will, as the Newcastle players were not able to get close enough to him to shut him down.
There was also a very definite attempt to close down Bruno Guimaraes, on those rare occasions Newcastle had the ball, and shut him out of the game. That worked particularly well, Bruno barely figured in the match at all and they looked so lacking in quality in midfield without his input and creativity.
I have to also give a shout out to Stuart Attwell, for one of the worst refereeing performances I have ever seen. The standard of officiating has dropped badly this season, but still he managed to put in a performance to stand out as one of the worst. It started badly, with his bizarre decision to award Newcastle a free kick, after Hall had tripped Salah in the box with his arm, and it did not get better throughout the game. He pulled back the play to give Liverpool a foul, even though they had the advantage in a very good position. There were so many other instances of bad decisions, it would be impossible to list them all.
Newcastle United
Howe was completely outmatched in this match, though he was missing his top striker, Isak, they still should have had enough to make a game of it. He started out with a fairly standard 4-3-3, but after being completely overrun in the opening 15-20 minutes or so, he decided to make a few tweaks to match up with Liverpool’s hybrid 4-2-4/4-3-3 set up. Oddly though, despite going to the same formation, he changed it in a way that seemed to completely miss the point of the way Slot has Liverpool playing.
Instead of simply moving one of his midfielders forward to take on the Szobozlai role, Howe decided to move Willock out of the centre and to play on the left and then move Gordon from the left into the centre to play off Wilson. It made no sense as Willock offers absolutely nothing from the left and Gordon was too deep to make use of his strengths. It did not work at all.
It just showed why Howe is not top class as a manager. Nice guy but he is lacking those little things that set him apart from the best, particularly tactically. That for me is something the Toon should look at. Not in order to replace him, but to find him someone to help with the tactical side of things, an analyst or coach that has the insight he misses and can help take them up a level.
Liverpool
Alisson – spent most of the match snoozing in his chair but when needed he was there to pull off a save. A very good save as well.
Alexander-Arnold – sat deep and sprayed passes about really well. Was also solid defensively, though there was little threat down his flank after Willock moved there.
Konate – solid performance, with a splash of Matip thrown in for good measure. That one moment alone changed the game, as Newcastle’s press went flat after he just strolled past them so easily. You could see the confidence drain out of them.
van Dijk – an excellent performance, strong defensively but also managed to spray passes around at times. Yes, he and Konate were very well protected by the midfield, but they still did well when called upon.
Tsimikas – he worked very hard but it was not a good game by him. His runs mostly were badly timed or just blocked up space for the man on the ball to run into. He did put one good delivery in though, that Quansah should have done better with.
Gravenberch – another good performance after a dip for a few games. Newcastle were unable to crowd him out, though they did try to do so.
Szoboszlai – absolutely outstanding, yet again, by the Hungary captain. His work rate is immense, and has been all season, but now he is beginning to get the goals and assists he deserves. Ed77 described him as the Kante of attacking midfielders earlier today and I think that is the best way to sum up his contribution. Brilliant.
Mac Allister – he spent the game fighting a running battle with Bruno, completely shutting the Brazillian out of the match. It was good to see he can stay on his feet when he wants to and win a physical battle like that. A very good performance, though he was overshadowed by just how good Szoboszlai was, he deserves praise for going toe-to-toe with the Toon’s best midfielder and coming out on top.
Salah – Salah is just on another level this season and he got yet another assist. He ripped Hall to shreds, causing a constant threat down the flank and through the centre. His link up with Szoboszlai is getting better as well, they are developing a great understanding.
Jota – it was a typical Jota performance – worked hard, a few moments of brilliance but also lots of poor passes and missed opportunities to take a shot. He was not helped by the referee after one of his moments of brilliance to break free of the Newcastle defence, only for the referee to call it back for a foul. To Liverpool. Yes, the referee decided to wait until after he got clear of the Newcastle players’ attempts to foul him to blow the whistle and give him a free kick.
Diaz – worked extremely hard to protect Tsimikas, as well as to attack the Newcastle defence and also added an assist. A very good game by the Colombian, though he does still need to improve his decision making in the final third.
Gakpo – replaced Jota in the 61st minute. Could easily have added a goal or two. Maybe even should have scored one.
Endo – came on for Gravenberch in the 77th minute. Once again, he came on and played like a warrior, he is here, there and almost everywhere breaking up play. He is a great option to have in the midfield against a team like Newcastle that tried very hard to make it a physical battle.
Quansah – was brought on in the stead of Alexander-Arnold in the 77th minute. Probably should have got himself a goal from a Tsimikas delivery. Never really tested defensively.
Nunez – took Diaz’s place in the 86th minute. Only had a few minutes, but looked more like the Nunez we have grown to expect – worked hard but lacked an end product.
Jones – replaced Mac Allister in the 86th minute. Never really got the chance to get into the game properly.
Written by Tris Burke March 02 2025 03:16:07
