In his lengthy managerial history, Jurgen Klopp maintained that he had never witnessed anything comparable to Liverpool’s thrilling comeback victory at Newcastle with just 10 players.
After captain Virgil van Dijk was sent off in the first half, the Reds were down to 10 men and behind 1-0 when substitute Darwin Nunez scored twice to win all three points at St. James’ Park.
When asked what the incredible comeback revealed about his team’s character, Klopp responded, “Absolutely everything. The truth is that I have never had a game like this in my more than 1,000 games as a coach.
“There have been other games, but with 10 men in such a setting and against such a foe…
“I’m not saying I don’t remember, but these experiences are so uncommon and exceptional that I’m pretty convinced they never happened.
But with 10 men, we performed better and gave Newcastle a true game, so I think the guys earned it today.
Three things were made clear at halftime: Trent Alexander-Arnold cannot receive another caution; we cannot allow a second goal because if that occurs, we have a chance, and that’s what the score was at the moment.
Alexis Mac Allister, who was sent off against Bournemouth last weekend and later had his red card revoked, was replaced by Nunez in the 77th minute as the Reds resisted Newcastle’s attempts to conclude the game by twice hitting the post.
The £85 million Uruguayan international had a challenging first year on Merseyside, but he seized his most recent opportunity.
Nunez, according to Klopp, will be alright; perhaps things had to turn out this way. He wouldn’t have scored in the final six minutes or something if he hadn’t been that enraged when the game began today.
Let’s proceed in that manner.
Anthony Gordon, a former player for Everton, scored a goal for the Magpies in the 25th minute, giving them the advantage as the game approached the 80-minute mark. Van Dijk left the game early after being dismissed for tripping Alexander Isak as he headed for goal.
“I don’t think it is a red card,” remarked Klopp. There is hardly any touch at all, but what can I say? I am powerless to alter the choice because it has been made.
