Eddie Howe reacts to Newcastle United defeat at Liverpool - and those defensive errors
Newcastle United were beaten 4-1 by Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League.
When Anthony Gordon netted his first Premier League goal from open play in a year, Newcastle United fans were in dreamland.
And it was deserved, the Magpies had Liverpool all at sixes and sevens in the first 40 minutes at Anfield.
But a two-minute period of madness, and Hugo Ekitike brilliance, flipped the game on it’s head.
Down at the break but still arguably the better side, the Magpies eventually succumbed midway through the second period as Florian Wirtz before Ibrahima Konate added a fourth late on, following a Nick Pope error.
And this is what head coach Eddie Howe had to say about the encounter.
Eddie Howe reacts to Newcastle United defeat at Liverpool
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, speaking to BBC Match Of The Day: "I thought we played pretty well today and I was pleased with the performance. We were very good at the start of the game, we forced a lot of corners and we ran the back-line really well. We showed athleticism despite playing on Wednesday night and travelling. We didn't defend well enough."
On scoring the first goal to conceding four: "That was the disappointment really, the manner of the goals went from not looking troubled to conceding to goals. Hugo Ekitike played really well and I have said he is a top player and that has shown today.
"I think we responded really well [to Ekitike's goals], I thought we had a strong start to the second-half, the players were committed and found some energy. Maybe on another day we would have scored."
On not managing to be consistent: "We are not putting it together for 90 minutes and we haven't done that all season, so we are still working towards being the perfect team but there is no magic wand. The lads are giving everything, there are so many injuries and the team today was the only team I could pick.
"I think this will make us improve, and make me and the coaching team find solutions so we are stronger on the pitch."
Kieran Trippier reacts to NUFC loss at Anfield
Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier, speaking to TNT Sport: “I am very frustrated, we started the game well, went man-for-man and got the first goal. We are disappointed as a group.
“When you come here you know you will have to deal with the pressure of Liverpool, you have to keep composure and your calm, then one long ball over the top and they score.
“There is no time to dwell on it, we have another massive game.”
On next few games: “I think, there are positives to take from today. We are footballers and we don't want to make any excuses for this relentless schedule.”