Darwin Nunez was the hero as Liverpool produced a sensational last-gasp comeback to defeat their top-four rivals at St James’ Park on Sunday. The Uruguayan striker came off the bench to net twice as spirited Liverpool recovered from Anthony Gordon’s goal and the first-half sending off of captain Virgil van Dijk in three minutes of madness to produce a stunning late turnaround with only 10 men on Tyneside.
Nunez’s match-winning antics denied Newcastle a first victory over Liverpool for some eight years and condemned the Magpies to back-to-back defeats after their opening day thrashing of Aston Villa was followed by a flat loss at the hands of reigning champions Manchester City last weekend. They face a trip to Brighton next.
For the Reds, who could easily have seen Trent Alexander-Arnold sent off with just six minutes on the clock on Sunday, they stay unbeaten in 2023/24 and move up to fourth in the early table after following their opening draw at Chelsea with chaotic comeback wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle respectively. It’s Aston Villa at Anfield up next. Follow Newcastle vs Liverpool reaction live with Standard Sport’s blog below!
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Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
Full-time
Utterly incredible.
Down a goal and a man, Liverpool manage to stay in the game at 1-0 before substitute Darwin Nunez unleashes a brace to secure the most dramatic of comeback wins.
Just remarkable.
Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
96 mins: Pope is up for a late Newcastle free-kick and manages to get on the end of the delivery, but it’s comfortably wide.
The final whistle sounds!
GOAL! Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool | Darwin Nunez 93′
93 mins: WOW! NUNEZ HAS DONE IT AGAIN AT THE LAST!
It’s horrible from Bruno Guimaraes, who gives the ball away in a bad area and Salah quickly releases the Uruguayan with a fine low pass into the box.
Nunez again is so ruthless and clinical as he rifles beyond Pope for the second time in 12 minutes.
Surely 10-man Liverpool have now snatched an extremely unlikely victory from the jaws of defeat. Incredible.
The oft-criticised Nunez breathes new life into his inconsistent Reds career. A penny for Virgil van Dijk’s thoughts right about now!
93 mins: Wilson had another half-chance a few minutes ago, now Longstaff tries to flick past
Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
90 mins: FIVE minutes of added time have been signalled at the end of this St James’ Park thriller.
Can either side find a last-gasp winner?
Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
85 mins: We should mention that young Elliot Anderson is also on for Newcastle, replacing Joelinton.
Newcastle want a penalty for handball after Almiron strikes at Robertson inside the box, but nothing
Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
84 mins: A yellow card now for Nunez after bringing down Bruno Guimaraes.
Botman is down and in some pain – not good news for Newcastle.
He ends up going off, with Matt Targett on in his place.
This game is so perfectly poised now – is there another late, late twist to come?
GOAL! Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool | Darwin Nunez 81′
81 mins: The 10-man Reds have their equaliser with less than 10 minutes to play!
It’s fast stuff played out from the back, with Salah and Jota combining nicely.
The ball strikes Botman, who can’t sort himself out and Nunez is allowed to stride clear and slam into the far corner past Pope. Clinical finish.
The away end erupts. What a moment for Liverpool but massive frustration for Newcastle, whose eight-year wait for a win over today’s opponents could well now continue.
Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
79 mins: Alexander-Arnold almost puts Nunez clean through with a peach of a pass, but the Uruguayan’s first touch takes him back a step and allows a grateful Burn to get in and make the challenge.
At the other end, Barnes leads a swift Newcastle counter but his shot is blocked and Wilson can’t turn the rebound home.
Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
77 mins: Two more changes from Klopp now.
On comes Darwin Nunez for Mac Allister, with 20-year-old defender Jarell Quansah also replacing Matip.
