Two late goals from Darwin Nunez saw Liverpool take a smash and grab victory away at Newcastle on Sunday. Having been reduced to 10 men in the first half, the Reds rallied and substitute Nunez finished brilliantly on two occasions to ensure that all three points were going back down to Anfield. Here are our player ratings from the win that Jurgen Klopp described as ‘super special’.
Alisson Becker – 9
The most saves Ali has made in one game for Liverpool. He kept us in it and made a ridiculous save from Miguel Almiron in the first half. Whenever someone shoots, you just feel that he will save it. An unbelievable goalkeeper who performs to the highest level every single week.
Trent Alexander Arnold – 6
Could have been sent off early on and gave the ball away for the Newcastle goal but recovered pretty well after his horror opening 30 minutes. Did well to defend on a ‘last warning’ from referee Brooks for 85 minutes and provided his ever-useful attacking output. Not his best game in a Liverpool shirt but a good recovery after his start to the game.
Joel Matip – 6
Did quite well on his return to the team. He struggled with the pace of Gordon, Almiron and Isak in the first half but, similar to Trent, recovered well and was solid when we went down to 10 men. Good on the ball and seemed to suit coming out from the back with it. Subbed for Quansah late on, probably as a precaution for next week.
Virgil Van Dijk – 4
Was it a red card? Was it soft? Either way, Van Dijk made an initial mistake for his sending off by allowing Isak to get a run on him. Hard to rate the Liverpool captain any higher than a 4 after he was given his marching orders early on. Luckily, he will only serve a one match ban as the red card was not given for violent conduct, we’ll need Virgil back in that defence as soon as possible.
Andy Robertson – 7
His best performance so far this season. Defended well against Almiron who had looked dangerous in the first half and provided an attacking output as our counter attacking chances became more prevalent. That was more like the Robertson we have been used to watching over the last three or four years.
Wataru Endo – 5
St James Park is a cauldron of fire for a new player to make their full Premier League debut in. Endo struggled with the pace of the game, often bypassed by Newcastle’s strong midfield. Showed glimpses of what he can do though and looked good in the air. Always hard for a new player to adapt when a team goes down to 10 men. He will get better than that as he adapts to the pace of the league.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
Excellent again. This boy is some player. He seemed to do the running for the entire midfield in that second half and was brilliant on the ball. Dom is an early contender for signing of the summer and will only get better. He looked comfortable in the 8 and the 6 and his ability to press at the right times is so valuable. A big game player with a big, big future.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Had a quiet game. Gave the ball away a few times in the middle but looked tidy as always. He struggled slightly once we went down to 10 men and was subbed for Nunez on 77 minutes. Will benefit from playing in a settled midfield once he knows his role a bit better. Overall, a good start to his Liverpool career and a decent game here.
Luiz Diaz – 6
Was the unlucky substitute after Van Dijk saw red. He had looked lively early on, forcing a good save from Nick Pope but cannot be rated higher than a 6 having only played 33 minutes. However, a great start to the season and I cannot wait to watch him next week vs Aston Villa.
Cody Gakpo – 5
Looked a yard off it which was unusual. His link up play was pretty good but he struggled to affect the game. He was another loser in the tactical change after the red card, being asked to play a little deeper than preferred. Not his best game in a Liverpool shirt.
Mo Salah – 7
A great performance again from Liverpool’s main man. He worked hard and chased every lost cause. Salah provided a brilliant assist for the late Nunez winner too and was a constant threat going forward. Jurgen Klopp reaffirmed after the game that he would be going nowhere this summer.
And now for the substitutes…
Joe Gomez – 7
A strong performance. I thought he would find it hard coming into the game with 10 men but the centre back put in a great defensive shift. Did well to contain Newcastle’s dangerous attackers. Something for him to build on.
Diogo Jota – 7
Diogo looks so much better off the left or as a false 9. He made a real impact when he came on, linking up well with Nunez to create a chance he probably should have done better with. The Portuguese attacker is such a good asset to have coming off the bench.
Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott – 6
Both were introduced late on and both played well. Quansah did well in the latter stages at the back and looks like a proper talent for the future, while Elliott was lively as always. Little to rate them on so its a 6 a piece.
Darwin Nunez – 10
Two shots. Two Goals. Two awesome celebrations. Two-One. Darwin was Liverpool’s match winner and can only get a 10. The composure he showed over his two chances was brilliant. I think I speak for every Liverpool fan when I say, there wasn’t a more fitting player to score two late goals to win away at Newcastle. I love Darwin Nunez.
Be sure to follow AnythingLiverpool on Twitter and Instagram for more player ratings after every game.
Anything Liverpool 
Leave a comment