Liverpool star slammed as Anthony Gordon issues fresh response to Newcastle United 'swap deal' talk

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Well, that was Premier League classic, wasn’t it? And not for the first time, it’s Newcastle United and Liverpool providing the entertainment.

A game which had absolutely everything ended all square at St James’ Park. And that was probably the right result.

Eddie Howe’s side twice took the lead with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon netting either side of Curtis Jones’ goal. Mohammed Salah did Mohammed Salah things by scoring a brace to put the Reds 3-2 up but United showed the strength and character to hit back as Fabian Schar rescued a point in the 90th minute.

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Let’s have a go at breaking the game down then. Here’s our five Newcastle United takeaways.

Bruno Guimaraes wins a coin toss!

Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall of Newcastle United react after drawing with Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 04, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall of Newcastle United react after drawing with Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 04, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall of Newcastle United react after drawing with Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 04, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We should have known it was going to be an eventful night when Bruno Guimaraes - at the seventh time of asking - finally won the coin toss, allowing Newcastle to return to tradition and shoot towards the Leazes End in the first-half.

To outsiders, it may seem minor but try telling that to Newcastle fans, who cheered Bruno’s win as if it was a goal... OK, so it maybe wasn’t that loud, but you get the gist by now.

Perhaps it was a small weight lifted off the Brazilian’s shoulders because what followed was an outstanding display on his 100th Premier League appearance. Two assists, one for Isak and another for Schar only told half the story. This was a proper captain’s performance.

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For those who have many doubted Bruno of late, please don’t. He is quality footballer, and a man who adores Newcastle United with every fibre of his being.

Alexander Isak is world-class - but you already knew that!

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Maybe you needed reminding, or maybe you didn’t but Alexander Isak is world-class!

For all the rightful talk about Salah - he truly is an incredible player - Isak too showed why he is regarded as one of best forwards on the continent.

The 25-year-old’s opening goal was simply unstoppable, so much so that it left Liverpool boss Arne Slot wondering if goalkeeper Caoimh Kelleher had seen the ball before it flew past him. Isak beat Kelleher again in the second-half to make it 3-1 but the offside flag cut short the celebrations.

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But it wasn’t just his ability to find the net, his all-round game was sensational.

“Yeah I think it was Alex’s best performance of the season for us,” Howe admitted. “First of all let’s talk about his goal, it was out of nothing really for us and this season we’ve missed those.

“But then he was elusive to mark and difficult to pick up, he was popping up all over the place. He is a great dribbler so it was great to see those qualities back in his game, I just thought it was a top performance from him.”

Newcastle really are lucky to have him. When he’s at his best, there really isn’t many better. You wouldn’t swap him for anyone in world football, would you?

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Anthony Gordon enjoyed that one

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Gordon hasn’t been at his best this campaign but you still felt he’d turn up the heat against Liverpool.

The 23-year-old came to blows with the club he supported as a boy, the club that showed interest in him in the summer and the player that was linked in a potential swap deal, Jarell Quansah.

Of course, it was all to do with this PSR malarkey but Gordon was unfortunately caught up the middle of it all. It has undoubtedly affected him but his actions suggest it is water under the bridge.

A new contract and now a new celebration, After putting United 2-1 up in the 62nd minute, the England international ran towards the Strawberry Corner and made a yapping gesture in a clear message to his critics.

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Hopefully this is a springboard to Gordon rediscovering last season’s form - on the left-hand side after being moved pillar to post in the early part of the campaign

“I thought we did, he really delivered in key moments,” Howe said. “I thought he was electric and if I'm an opposition manager looking at that performance, he's one of the first port of calls that I've got to try and deal with and I think that's Anthony at his best. Very, very pleased with his goal, he could have had more and kept going right until the end as well.”

Now let’s talk about the referee

Nick Pope of Newcastle United reacts as he is shown a yellow card by Referee Andy Madley during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 04, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Nick Pope of Newcastle United reacts as he is shown a yellow card by Referee Andy Madley during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 04, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Nick Pope of Newcastle United reacts as he is shown a yellow card by Referee Andy Madley during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 04, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I find it disappointing that after such a fantastic game of football, I feel the need to mention the referee. But Andy Madley, come on! I include VAR in this too, there were two big Newcastle decisions they got wrong in my opinion.

The first, yes, Gordon should have scored after robbing Joe Gomez of possession and only having Kelleher to beat. However, a gapping miss should have equalled in an extra man advantage after Virgil van Dijk’s deliberate antics.

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Watch Van Dijk (see above), he knows exactly what he’s doing. He has a quick look to see where Gordon is and uses his shoulder to whack him the face. It was very naughty.

According to Howe, VAR reviewed the incident but decided no punishment. Like me, and thousands of others, Howe admitted he was “surprised” the Dutchman wasn’t reprimanded.

Then, with the scoreline poised at 2-2, Isak was tripped by Quansah in the box. “I thought it was a penalty on Alex but I haven’t seen a replay,” said Howe. “That was just an initial thought.” Again, it’s hard to disagree.

And finally, what about the utter lunacy of Madley blowing the full-time whistle when Newcastle were on the counter-attack?! The cheek of him to book Nick Pope for his protests too.

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A top class match, but the same can’t be said about the level of officiating.

Consistency is key

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Right Newcastle... you can do it against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, now can you do against Brentford, Leicester City and Ipswich Town?

Last night served as a reminder of what Newcastle can be when at their very best, but we didn’t really learn anything new. Getting up for it against the ‘big teams’ isn’t an issue, what has proved an issue are the likes of your West Ham Uniteds, Crystal Palaces etc.

It’s imperative Howe & Co take the Liverpool performance forward and come through a busy festive period in a strong position. After all, Europe is the aim.

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