Liverpool vs Newcastle United Player Ratings: 8/10 for Elliott; Isak shines on debut

Liverpool picked up a remarkable last-gasp victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Liverpool seemed destined to drop points once again after a spirited effort from Newcastle United at Anfield. However, a very late goal from Fabio Carvalho ensured that the Reds picked up two consecutive league wins for the first time this season.

Liverpool controlled the game for the majority of the contest, but Newcastle took the lead through summer signing Alexander Isak completely against the run of play, late in the first half. The visitors managed to execute Eddie Howe’s game plan perfectly and they troubled Liverpool on the counter despite being without multiple key players.

Liverpool got back into the game in the second half through Roberto Firmino, and just when a draw seemed certain, youngster Fabio Carvalho smashed the winning goal from close range, deep into injury time. Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at the player ratings from Liverpool’s win over Newcastle United.

Liverpool

Alisson Becker: 6.5/10

The Brazilian produced a reasonably solid performance despite conceding the opening goal of the game. Alisson could do nothing about the imperious finishing from Alexander Isak but he showed great awareness with his quick passing and throwing to set up counter-attacks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5/10

The Liverpool full-back had a mediocre outing, and he was partly responsible for Newcastle’s goal. Alexander-Arnold’s long-range passing was not up to his usual standards either, and he barely created any chance for his teammates.

Joe Gomez: 7/10

The English centre-back put in a no-nonsense display alongside Virgil van Dijk, and he did well to mop up the loose balls and track the runners in behind.

Virgil van Dijk: 5/10

Often regarded as the best defender on the planet, the Dutch international had a rather mediocre outing. His decision-making was erratic and he struggled to switch play with his inaccurate long passing. 

Andy Robertson: 5.5/10

The Scottish international has not been at his best for a while now, and it was another lacklustre display against Newcastle. Although the Liverpool left-back was not troubled too much defensively, he offered very little going forward.

Fabinho: 6/10

The Brazilian international had a decent outing against the Magpies. He did well to break up play and win possession back for his side. Fabinho was involved in Liverpool’s equaliser through Roberto Firmino, but he is still searching for his peak form.

Harvey Elliott: 8/10

Undoubtedly the pick of the Liverpool midfielders, the youngster continues to impress with his passing in the final third and his intelligent link-up play. Elliott has managed to establish himself as a regular in the midfield three this season, and he will be looking to continue his development further with game time.

Jordan Henderson: 4/10

The Liverpool captain produced another abysmal display at the middle of the park. Henderson has been heavily criticised this season for his poor performances, and he showed little improvement against Newcastle. He was at fault for the visitors’ goal and barely created any opportunities for his teammates with his safe and cautious passing.

Mohamed Salah: 6/10

The Egyptian international worked hard throughout the game, but he struggled to carve out any clear-cut opportunities for himself. As has been the case for most of the season so far, Salah’s goalscoring threat was successfully nullified by the opposition defenders.

Roberto Firmino: 6.5/10

The Brazilian worked hard throughout the game and he was the link between the midfield and the attack. He chipped in with the equaliser for Liverpool in the second half.

Luis Diaz: 7/10

The Colombian worked hard throughout the game and created openings for his side with his pace and flair. Diaz created a couple of half-chances, and he will feel that he should have been on the scoresheet last night.

SUBSTITUTES

Kostas Tsimikas: 6.5/10

The Greek fullback came on in place of Robertson and added some much-needed bite to the Liverpool attack with his link-up play and accurate crossing.

James Milner: 6/10

The experienced midfielder came on and played the role of the right-back. His well-taken free-kick led to the winning goal.

Fabio Carvalho: 8/10

The youngster needs more starting opportunities at Liverpool. The former Fulham prodigy has been impressive with his cameos so far, and he scored the all-important winning goal against Newcastle. Carvalho added creativity and spark in the final third when Liverpool looked bereft of ideas.

Newcastle United

Nick Pope: 7/10

The Newcastle United  goalkeeper was not troubled as much in the first half, but he was beaten twice in the second half. Pope could do very little about the two Liverpool goals, but he did make a few important saves when called upon. Inspired confidence in his backline with his impressive catching and awareness.

Kieran Trippier: 7/10

England right-back Trippier has been a revelation since his move to Newcastle, and he put on another impressive performance against Liverpool. Trippier tried to set up counter-attacking opportunities with his accurate long passing, and he was rock solid at the back.

Jamaal Lascelles: 5.5/10

Probably the only Newcastle defender who struggled against the Liverpool attack on the night. Lascelles had a torrid time against Luis Diaz at Anfield.

Dan Burn: 8/10

Burn was undoubtedly the pick of the defenders on the night, and he did exceedingly well to contain the Liverpool attackers throughout the game. He will be disappointed to have come away from the game empty-handed, but Burn made life extremely difficult for the likes of Salah, Firmino and Diaz.

Matt Targett: 6/10

Targett put on a relatively solid defensive display as the left-back. He was an outlet for Newcastle during counter-attacks.

Sean Longstaff: 6.5/10

The midfielder did well to break up play for his side and was at hand to set up the opening goal of the game for Alexander Isak.

Joelinton: 7.5/10

Another midfield masterclass from the Brazilian. Joelinton has reinvented himself from a striker to a midfielder this year, and he continues to impress in the middle of the park. He worked tirelessly throughout the game and caused all sorts of problems for the likes of Henderson and Fabinho.

Joe Willock: 6/10

Willock kept it neat and tidy in the middle of the park for Newcastle. The Magpies struggled to control the proceedings throughout the game and Willock thus failed to showcase his attacking qualities from the midfield.

Ryan Fraser: 5.5/10

Fraser worked hard and did his best to influence the game in the final third, but he saw very little of the ball owing to Liverpool’s dominance.

Miguel Almiron: 6/10

The Paraguayan attacking midfielder put in another shift for Newcastle, but his end product leaves a lot to be desired.

Alexander Isak: 8/10

A dream debut in every sense of the word. Alexander Isak showed exactly why Newcastle were keen on making him their club-record signing with a well-taken goal in the first half. He could have easily added to his tally but had a goal ruled out due to offside.

SUBSTITUTES

Chris Wood: 5/10

Wood replaced the debutant Alexander Isak around the hour mark, which seemed like a major downgrade.

Jacob Murphy: 5/10

Murphy as brought on with half an hour remaining on the clock to give the visitors some pace and unpredictability on the counter. However, Murphy had very little impact on the game as Liverpool controlled most of the possession.

Elliot Anderson: N/A

Anderson came on too late to make any meaningful contribution for the visitors.