Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle United: Joe Willock scores 95th-minute equaliser at Anfield
Newcastle #Newcastle
Joe Willock has scored four goals in 10 Premier League appearances for Newcastle, having netted just once in 40 league games for Arsenal
Newcastle substitute Joe Willock scored a dramatic but deserved 95th-minute equaliser to deny Liverpool a much-needed win in their pursuit of Champions League football.
Mohamed Salah’s early goal appeared to have put the champions on track for a vital three points as they chase a top-four finish at the end of a disappointing season.
But despite dominating early on, Jurgen Klopp’s side were unable to finish the game off and were given a lifeline they failed to take when Callum Wilson’s last-minute equaliser was ruled out for handball.
Steve Bruce’s much-improved visitors kept up the late pressure and were rewarded when Willock fired in for the third match in a row with the last kick of the game to strengthen their own position at the bottom of the table.
Reds fans must now look on as West Ham and Chelsea – both a point ahead of their sixth-placed side – meet later on Saturday.
Mohamed Salah is the first Liverpool player to score at least 20 goals in three different Premier League seasons Liverpool fade again
It was already a season to forget for Liverpool with a meek title defence and trophyless campaign, even before the off-field distraction of this week’s aborted interest in the European Super League.
There were muted protests against the club’s owners as the team coach arrived at Anfield but the players themselves were loudly cheered and the disruption was nothing like that seen at Arsenal on Friday night.
Salah’s superb early goal, spinning to control a clearance and smash in what is – remarkably – Liverpool’s first first-half goal at home in 2021, seemed to set them on track for a win that would calm matters on and off the pitch.
Newcastle draw ‘so hard to take’ – Klopp
Jurgen Klopp lined up Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota alongside Salah in an attacking line-up and they all had chances, with Magpies keeper Martin Dubravka making eight saves in a solid if unspectacular showing.
But as the game wore on Liverpool’s intensity and drive faded, an all-too-familiar sight in recent months.
Newcastle’s late rally meant two more dropped points for the home side and a disappointing season that may yet end without even a Champions League place next term.
Magpies safe now?
Newcastle came into the game on the back of a run of one defeat in seven games that had steered them away from danger, and their last-ditch Anfield exploits have now pushed them nine points ahead of Fulham in 18th place. Surely they are safe?
Bruce has been heavily criticised for his approach throughout his time in charge and Newcastle’s defensive, containing 5-4-1 shape had no immediate effect as Salah crashed in following Ciaran Clark’s poor clearing header.
But in Allan Saint-Maximin the visitors had the game’s most lively attacker and he carried a threat single-handedly for most of the match.
Joelinton then could, maybe should have equalised but Alisson kept out his effort before Wilson scrambled in at the second attempt. But the ball did hit his arm and VAR ruled it out.
Newcastle were ‘always a threat’ – Bruce
Many teams would have crumbled at such late disappointment so all credit to Newcastle for going again, and Willock was sure in his finish as he drilled in via a deflection from 10 yards out.
Milner’s new record – the stats
What’s next?
Liverpool have the small matter of a trip to Old Trafford next Sunday to take on Manchester United, while Newcastle welcome Arsenal on the same day.
Player of the match
WillockJoseph Willock
Newcastle United
Squad number28Player nameWillock
Squad number10Player nameSaint-Maximin
Squad number13Player nameWilson
Squad number1Player nameDubravka
Squad number23Player nameMurphy
Squad number11Player nameRitchie
Squad number24Player nameAlmirón
Squad number12Player nameGayle
Squad number18Player nameFernández
Squad number3Player nameDummett
Squad number2Player nameClark
Squad number8Player nameShelvey
Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff
Squad number9Player nameJoelinton
Line-ups Liverpool
Formation 4-4-2
1Alisson
66Alexander-Arnold3Fabinho19Kabak26Robertson
11Salah5Wijnaldum6Thiago Alcántara10Mané
9Firmino20Jota
Substitutes
Newcastle
Formation 5-3-2
1Dubravka
23Murphy18Fernández2Clark3Dummett11Ritchie
24Almirón36S Longstaff8Shelvey
10Saint-Maximin9Joelinton
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Liverpool 1, Newcastle United 1.
90’+7′
Second Half ends, Liverpool 1, Newcastle United 1.
90’+5′
Goal! Liverpool 1, Newcastle United 1. Joseph Willock (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Dwight Gayle with a headed pass.
90’+4′
VAR Decision: No Goal Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle United.
90’+2′
Hand ball by Callum Wilson (Newcastle United).
90’+2′
Attempt saved. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Allan Saint-Maximin with a through ball.
90’+1′
Attempt missed. Joseph Willock (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Matt Ritchie with a cross.
90′
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Fabinho.
89′
Fabinho (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
89′
Foul by Fabinho (Liverpool).
89′
Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87′
Foul by James Milner (Liverpool).
87′
Joseph Willock (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85′
Substitution, Newcastle United. Dwight Gayle replaces Miguel Almirón because of an injury.
81′
Attempt saved. James Milner (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
81′
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Joseph Willock.
81′
Attempt blocked. James Milner (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
80′
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Martin Dubravka.
80′
Attempt saved. Sadio Mané (Liverpool) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
80′
Ozan Kabak (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.