Despite the narrow scoreline, Newcastle United never truly felt in control of their latest clash against Liverpool at Anfield. While Eddie Howe’s side had promising spells of possession, they rarely posed a genuine threat in front of goal. Their struggles in attack were compounded by defensive lapses, which allowed Liverpool to capitalize on their mistakes and secure a comfortable victory.
At the heart of Newcastle’s disappointment was their inability to defend simple passages of play. The Magpies conceded two avoidable goals, and while former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman defended Nick Pope against blame for the first, the 32-year-old goalkeeper was slow to react to Dominik Szoboszlai’s strike. The defensive frailties on display highlighted an ongoing issue for Newcastle, who have struggled to maintain consistency at the back against top-level opposition.
Eddie Howe’s Frustration with Newcastle’s Costly Errors
Eddie Howe’s post-match assessment reflected his disappointment in his team’s performance. Speaking to the club’s official website, the Newcastle boss admitted his frustration stemmed from his side’s inability to defend routine situations.
“It was just really frustrating—the two actions for the goals,” Howe said. “That’s the most disappointing thing. Very similar situations. Passes into the box. A man left unmarked. They’ve scored relatively simple-looking goals. They were very preventable, which makes it all the more frustrating.”
Howe also pointed to his team’s struggles in attack, acknowledging that while Newcastle remained competitive in midfield, their final ball lacked quality.
“Around the box, I don’t think we were particularly good. Our final pass wasn’t great, but in between the boxes, I thought we were really competitive,” he added.
Newcastle’s struggles in both boxes ultimately defined the game, and against a team of Liverpool’s caliber, such mistakes rarely go unpunished.
Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali Struggle in Midfield
While Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali have been instrumental in Newcastle’s midfield throughout the season, both players endured a difficult night on Merseyside. Unfortunately for the Magpies, their lapses played a direct role in Liverpool’s goals.
The first goal stemmed from Tonali dropping too deep and allowing Szoboszlai time and space inside the penalty area. The Hungarian international took full advantage, firing a shot that beat Pope, despite the goalkeeper’s attempt to get down to his left.
A similar sequence unfolded for Liverpool’s second goal. This time, it was Bruno Guimarães who backed off Alexis Mac Allister, giving the Argentine playmaker the freedom to double the Reds’ lead. Adding to the frustration, the move originated from Tonali losing possession in a dangerous area—an error that Eddie Howe later described as “careless” from his midfield general.
Newcastle’s midfield, typically one of their strongest areas, was guilty of uncharacteristic mistakes, and Liverpool made sure to capitalize. Against elite opposition, such lapses in concentration can prove fatal, and Howe will be well aware that his side cannot afford a repeat performance in their upcoming fixtures.
Looking Ahead: Lessons to Learn Before the Carabao Cup Final
While Newcastle will be disappointed with their showing at Anfield, they cannot dwell on this setback for long. With the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 16, they have little time to iron out their defensive frailties and sharpen their attacking play.
Newcastle’s season has shown promise, but if they want to secure silverware, they must tighten up at both ends of the pitch. Against a top side like Liverpool, even minor mistakes can be ruthlessly punished, and Howe will be demanding a much sharper performance when his team steps onto the Wembley stage.
The loss at Anfield may serve as a harsh lesson, but it could also be a wake-up call for Newcastle United as they prepare for one of the biggest games of their season.
Eddie Howe Expressed his ‘most disappointing’ feelings, as he singles out two Newcastle United stars who are at fault in Liverpool loss
