‘Doesn’t look good’ – Howe delivers worrying NUFC injury update after bruising Liverpool defeat
Newcastle United’s problems appear to be piling up fast after their agonizing 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at St James’ Park on Monday evening, with manager Eddie Howe confirming that the club now faces a deepening injury crisis.
The Magpies entered the match determined to respond to recent criticism, but their evening quickly turned sour when Anthony Gordon was shown a straight red card before the interval for a mistimed challenge on Virgil van Dijk. Reduced to ten men, Newcastle were forced into damage limitation and looked to be heading toward a heavy loss when Liverpool surged ahead.
Goals from Ryan Gravenberch and summer signing Hugo Ekitike put the visitors firmly in control, silencing the Geordie faithful. However, Newcastle refused to go quietly. Bruno Guimaraes sparked a comeback with a thumping effort, and young forward William Osula came off the bench to grab a dramatic equaliser. For a brief spell, the atmosphere inside St James’ Park suggested that Howe’s men might even pull off one of their most memorable fightbacks in recent memory.
That hope was cruelly extinguished deep into stoppage time, when 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha – making his mark on the Premier League stage – calmly slotted home to give Liverpool all three points and break Newcastle hearts.
To make matters worse, the loss was compounded by a series of injuries to key players. Midfield enforcer Sandro Tonali, Brazilian powerhouse Joelinton, and defender Fabian Schär were all forced off in the second half. Howe admitted his concern afterwards, particularly over Tonali, who appeared in considerable pain.
“Tonight was a very tough one to take,” Howe told beIN SPORTS after the match. “To come away with nothing, plus the injuries, suspensions, and even a concussion, it’s a pretty bad day. Sandro doesn’t look good – he was struggling in pain. With Joelinton as well, we’ll need to assess the damage properly before we know more.”
Schär, meanwhile, sustained a head injury and will be subjected to mandatory concussion protocols before being allowed to return, leaving the defence looking thin ahead of a busy run of fixtures. The loss of Gordon to suspension further limits Howe’s options, particularly in attack, with the winger now set to miss Newcastle’s upcoming clash with Leeds United.
“It’s a big blow,” Howe added when asked about Gordon’s dismissal. “I honestly didn’t see intent in the challenge. From what I saw, he was trying to pull out of it, but unfortunately the referee saw it differently.”
As if the night was not difficult enough, Newcastle’s off-field troubles continue to add pressure. Star striker Alexander Isak remains at loggerheads with the club as he continues his strike in a bid to force through a move to Liverpool. Reports suggest that Newcastle sent representatives to his home in an attempt to convince him to rejoin the squad, though it remains uncertain whether he will change his stance.
His absence was keenly felt against Liverpool, particularly during the first half when Newcastle carved out promising chances but lacked the cutting edge to finish them. While Osula’s impact as a substitute provided some encouragement, Howe knows the teenager cannot carry the scoring burden alone if Isak remains unavailable.
With injuries piling up, suspensions looming, and transfer uncertainty swirling around one of their biggest assets, Newcastle now find themselves facing one of their sternest tests of the season. Howe will need all his managerial nous – and a fair slice of good fortune – to steady the ship before their campaign risks slipping into deeper waters.