Liverpool’s grip on the Premier League summit loosened slightly after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. Despite mounting a stirring comeback, the Reds were undone by a late Fabian Schär strike, leaving their lead atop the table trimmed to seven points.
Newcastle began with intensity, and Sandro Tonali forced an early save from Liverpool’s stand-in goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher. Liverpool responded with Alexis Mac Allister striking the post, but it was Newcastle who broke the deadlock in the 35th minute. Alexander Isak weaved past Virgil van Dijk and fired into the roof of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Kelleher kept Liverpool in contention just before halftime, denying Anthony Gordon after a wayward Joe Gomez backpass nearly doubled Newcastle’s advantage. Liverpool came out revitalized after the break. Mohamed Salah set up Curtis Jones to equalize in the 50th minute, but Newcastle regained their lead through Anthony Gordon, whose effort slipped past Kelleher.
The Reds answered again, with Salah converting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s near-post cross to make it 2-2. The Egyptian forward seemed poised to complete Liverpool’s comeback late in the game, striking the bar before finding the net to give Liverpool a 3-2 lead.
Late Heartbreak for Liverpool
Just when Liverpool looked set to claim a dramatic victory, a costly Kelleher error allowed Fabian Schär to poke home Bruno Guimarães’ free-kick at the far post in the dying moments, securing Newcastle a hard-fought point.
Match Stats:
| Statistic | Liverpool | Newcastle |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on target) | 14 (6) | 12 (5) |
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Pass Accuracy | 86% | 79% |
| Corners | 7 | 5 |
Key Players:
- Liverpool:
- Mohamed Salah: 1 goal, 2 assists
- Curtis Jones: 1 goal
- Newcastle:
- Alexander Isak: 1 goal, relentless offensive threat
- Fabian Schär: Match-saving late goal
Title Race Implications
Liverpool remains at the top of the table, but their lead has narrowed, injecting new excitement into the title race. The result also bolsters Newcastle’s confidence, showcasing their ability to compete with the league’s best.
It was a thrilling contest filled with twists, reminding fans why the Premier League is the most unpredictable league in the world.
