Newcastle United legend sees positives for Magpies despite agonising late defeat at Liverpool

Newcastle United legend Shay Given felt for his former club after they fell to an agonising late defeat at Liverpool.

Magpies manager Eddie Howe handed a debut to record signing Alexander Isak and was rewarded when the Sweden international fired his new side ahead seven minutes before half-time.

Roberto Firmino got the Reds on level-terms with a smart finish on the hour-mark but it looked as if United were going to preserve their unbeaten record with a hardworking and disciplined performance.

A number of Magpies players went down with injuries and cramp and that was reflected when referee Andre Mariner signalled five minutes of added-on time.

An injury to Nick Pope saw further injury-time added and that allowed Reds substitute Fabio Carvalho to fire home a winner with 98 minutes on the clock.

Former Magpies goalkeeper Given praised Howe’s men and insisted they deserved a point from their visit to Anfield.

He told BT Sport: “I feel for the Newcastle players.

“Obviously, Liverpool are over the moon, they are delighted with the result, it’s a massive three points for Liverpool.

“You have to feel for them.  He’s (Andre Marriner) looking at his watch, I don’t know if it’s broken after 95 minutes.

“You feel for Newcastle, you see they’re dead on their feet, lads going down with cramp and stuff.

“I felt they deserved a point out of the game tonight and it’s a long way back to Newcastle for the fans and the players.

“They have to pick themselves up and go again Saturday.”

Despite the disappointment at conceding a late winner, Given believes the Magpies can take plenty of positives from their performance against Jurgen Klopp’s men.

“You have to to give Eddie great credit, I thought his game-plan was perfect tonight,” explained the former Republic of Ireland keeper.

“They’ve conceded with the last kick of the game and Nick Pope made a couple of saves but they weren’t cut open.

“They are really hard to beat and you think of the players missing tonight.  The centre-halves, Guimaraes, Wilson up top, Saint-Maximin.

“They’ll take a lot of credit from that but at the same time, you’ll get on the bus back to Newcastle tonight, the fans, the management and the players, you’re going to be low because taking a point from here would be a brilliant result for them going into Saturday against Crystal Palace.”