Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3: Kelleher's late error costly as Isak and Co. shine again

Newcastle and Liverpool served up a 3-3 draw in keeping with their history of thrilling Premier League matches.

A stunning goal from Alexander Isak opened the scoring, with Liverpool fighting back through Mohamed Salah to take a 3-2 lead late on — only for goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to misjudge a free kick and allow Fabian Schar to squeeze in an even later equaliser.

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, Andy Jones and Mark Carey analyse the key talking points…

Kelleher’s error a cruel blow

It feels cruel that, after an excellent run of performances, Caoimhin Kelleher’s error would lead to Liverpool dropping two points.

The Republic of Ireland international has proven himself to be the best No 2 goalkeeper in the league, standing in for Alisson Becker as the Brazilian recovers from a hamstring injury.

Kelleher has barely put a foot wrong and made a string of big saves — including one in the first half against Anthony Gordon to prevent Newcastle taking a 2-0 lead — as Liverpool have put themselves top of the Premier League and Champions League.

Yet, as he watched a deep Newcastle free kick sail towards the back post, he started to come to claim the ball.

As he watched it come towards him, he hesitated and realised he could not reach it. The problem was, Fabian Schar had not given it up, guiding it towards goal from a tight angle with Kelleher stranded in no man’s land.

He has helped Liverpool win many more points this season than he has cost them, which is why this situation feels particularly unfair. He also wasn’t helped by those in front of him for the two goals earlier in the match.

There has plenty of debate around the goalkeeping position with Alisson nearing full fitness. Slot has been clear throughout that when the Brazil international is back fit, he will return to the starting lineup – and that one error will make his choice easier to explain.

Andy Jones

Newcastle’s big players keep leaving their mark on big games

When elite sides arrive on Tyneside, Newcastle’s elite players inevitably turn up. Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and now Liverpool have visited St James’ Park this season, and none have left with all three points.

While Isak terrorised Virgil van Dijk during the first half, nutmegging the defender and regularly creating opportunities for his team-mates, before firing in a magnificent opener having turned the Dutchman inside out, Gordon also scored against the club he may have joined during the summer.

In doing so, Gordon took his goal involvements — assists and goals scored — against the so-called “Big Six” sides since the start of last season to 14.

Guimaraes, too, was excellent, laying on chances for his team-mates and whipping across the assist for Schar’s 90th-minute leveller.

Their record may still read only one victory in 11 league matches they have started together — that win came on the opening day of last season, in their very first game together against Aston Villa — but Sandro Tonali and Guimaraes also provided evidence that they can work successfully in tandem. While Tonali orchestrated play from the No 6 role, winning the ball and starting attacks, Guimaraes played passes into pockets of space.

During the first half, the two of them dovetailed well with Joelinton, picking their times to press together and win the ball from Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

Ultimately, even Newcastle’s big-name players could only extract a point from Liverpool, but the frustration is that these game-changing performances cannot merely be reserved for elite teams. If Newcastle are to climb the table, these displays must be replicated against Brentford, Leicester and Ipswich.

Chris Waugh

Newcastle defence impress despite scoreline

It might sound strange to say after a 3-3 draw, but Newcastle’s defensive display tonight was arguably their best of the season for long periods.

From the first whistle, Eddie Howe’s men hounded and hassled Liverpool, disrupting their build-up with high, aggressive pressing. Ryan Gravenberch has been one of Liverpool’s star players this season, but was repeatedly caught on the ball thanks to the front-footed work from Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in the centre of the park. Such was the difficult evening that the Dutch international had, that he was taken off midway through the second half.

When Newcastle had the opportunity to press high, they committed to their task. When they needed to drop off into their typical 5-4-1 mid-block, they remained disciplined and structured — blocking the centre of the pitch and limiting the ball progression into Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister between the lines.

Particularly in the first half, Newcastle kept both of Liverpool’s wingers quiet with the out-of-possession shape by keeping four players — typically a retreating winger, outside central midfielder, full-back and supporting centre-back — in a box to outnumber Liverpool’s wide triangles.

Newcastle’s effectiveness did wane in the second half as Arne Slot’s men had increasing joy down Lewis Hall’s left-hand side. All three goals conceded came from crosses from Liverpool’s right with crisp passing and clinical finishes. Newcastle might feel hard done by to not get more for their efforts, but there were sustained periods that Howe will be pleased with from his side.

Mark Carey