Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool LIVE: Anthony Gordon capitalises on Trent Alexander-Arnold error to give Magpies lead… before Virgil van Dijk is SENT OFF for rash challenge just three minutes later

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest as Newcastle host Liverpool at St James’ Park with both sides in the hunt for their second win of the season.

Host commentator

Host commentator

Newcastle get us back underway…

We will be back underway shortly as the players return for the second half.

‘How do you know that’s a goalscoring opportunity?’ Carragher asks on Sky Sports.

Shay Given disagrees, though, while Andros Townsend is sitting on the fence. It was certainly a huge talking point from that first half.

Anthony Gordon has scored the only goal of the game so far, and has caused Trent Alexander-Arnold all sorts of problems in the first half.

Newcastle’s half as they head into the break in front and with Liverpool down to 10 men.

You can see why Tonali has become a fans’ favourite already.

He wins the ball back on the edge of his own area then charges down the touchline before winning a free-kick. Outstanding work rate.

Newcastle conceding a lot of silly free-kicks at the moment.

This time it’s Tonali who clips Gakpo, and Joelinton is also walking a tight rope when it comes to picking up a booking.

Szoboszlai’s free-kick goes well over the bar.

Four minutes added time at the end of the first half.

Newcastle dominated the 10 minutes after the red card, but Liverpool have just started to get a grip on things.

Mac Allister wins a free-kick about 30 yards from goal.

Gakpo briefly gets in behind but Botman does well to get back and avert the danger.

Newcastle then break up the other end, but Almiron’s final ball is not precise enough to Trippier. A very open passage of play which surely suits the team with the extra man.

Newcastle continue to pour forward. This time Trippier cuts the ball back to Almiron but he’s leaning back and his effort goes well over the bar.

Newcastle win a corner and the ball comes back to Almiron.

He hits a thunderous volley but Alisson pushes it onto the bar and the it stays out. Newcastle knocking on the door to try and put this game to bed.

Gomez is brought on to allow Liverpool to stay as a back four after Van Dijk’s dismissal.

Diaz is the player that makes way.

What a few minutes this has been! Newcastle now a goal and a man up.

Liverpool block Newcastle’s attempt from the free-kick, but the home crowd know their side are well on top now.

The ball is played through to Isak and Van Dijk tries to nip the ball away. Isak would have been through on goal and Van Dijk has been adjudged to have fouled Isak before getting the ball.

It’s a straight red and VAR agrees with the decision. Liverpool are down to 10 men!

Newcastle lead and it’s a horrible error from Alexander-Arnold.

He lets a pass from Salah slip under his boot and Gordon is in the clear. He makes no mistake, sliding the ball past Alisson.

Salah gets the chance to run at Burn and cuts inside onto his favoured left foot.

It’s a tame effort though that is easily held by Pope.

Pope was caught out by a long ball over the top on a wet pitch last season in this fixture, but not this time as he comes out and mops up by putting the ball into touch.

A slight lull in proceedings after an energetic start from both teams.

Excellent run from Diaz who eases past Trippier. Pope has to be alert at his near post to palm the ball behind for a corner. 

The corner coms to nothing but this game is really opening up now.

Bruno wins the ball and Isak plays the ball out to the left side of the box. 

Joelinton hits if first time but it’s straight at Alisson. Gordon then has another effort moments later but it’s another easy hold for Alisson.

Lovely football from Newcastle as they play out from the back. The move ends with Trippier mis-controlling the ball out of play but that was much more like it from the home side.

Two corners for Liverpool and Pope has flapped at both of them.

He is fortunate that this comes to nothing before Salah fouls Trippier. Joe Gomez has been sent out to warm-up, could Alexander-Arnold be taken off after narrowly avoiding a red card?

Alexander-Arnold is a very lucky boy. He takes out Gordon right after his first booking, but the referee gives him a final warning.

Alexander-Arnold is booked for kicking the ball away. And then he takes down Gordon… will he be sent off?

Newcastle yet to quite settle into their normal rhythm.

Tonali makes a half break, but then gives possession away cheaply.

Liverpool win an early corner and Alexander-Arnold whips it in. Van Dijk gets there ahead of Pope, but can’t keep his header down.

Liverpool get the game underway…

Trippier and Van Dijk lead their sides out to a huge reception from the St James’ Park crowd.

Kick-off is just moments away.

Dominik Szoboszali could easily have been lining up in the Newcastle side today, with Eddie Howe recently admitting the club admired the attacking midfielder.

Szoboszlai ultimately ended up at Liverpool, though. Will he make an impact against the Magpies today?

Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Gordon, Isak

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Diaz, Gakpo

Kick-off is just 10 minutes away.

Endo gets his first start this afternoon, and Jurgen Klopp has also brought Joel Matip into his starting line-up to replace the injured Ibrahima Konate.

Cody Gakpo moves up front, with Diogo Jota making way.

Starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Isak, Gordon

Subs: Dubravka, Lascelles, Wilson, Targett, Barnes, Livramento, Murphy, Anderson, Longstaff

A Wataru Endo debut for Liverpool. 

Here’s how we line up for #NEWLIV 🔴

Newcastle are in the house at St James’ Park ahead of their crunch clash with Liverpool.

They haven’t won two of their first three games in the Premier League season for over a decade, back when Alan Pardew was in charge.

Here we see Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, and Anthony Gordon as they settle in for another day in front of some of the nation’s most passionate fans. 

Liverpool need to remain focused today while their star player is being courted by Saudi riches. 

Jurgen Klopp says he will be relieved when the transfer window is over so that Saudi Arabian clubs can stop sniffing around his players – and insists Mo Salah is ‘100 per cent’ committed to Liverpool amid interest from Al Ittihad.

But we’ve thought the same with many players this window, and the Saudi clubs have shown immense determination to get their men. 

Read more of Klopp’s comments below. 

Liverpool are the only team to beat Newcastle four times since Eddie Howe’s arrival on Tyneside, but the Magpies’ manager knows they are a hurdle he must overcome to deliver on the long-term ambitions of the club’s ownership – and its fanbase. 

Craig Hope writes of the increasing expectations at Newcastle as they are plunged into a new kind of existence. 

‘For manager Eddie How, the biggest threat to his own existence is himself. He is the overriding reason Newcastle’s journey has been accelerated to a land where his team are expected to compete with City.’

Read his piece below. 

Good afternoon all and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog of the Newcastle-Liverpool game.

This afternoon will be a great test for two sides who are at least looking to prove their top-four credentials and perhaps more. 

Eddie Howe has only lost four of his 34 home games at St James’ Park and if their 5-1 evisceration of Aston Villa is anything to go by, Liverpool will be in for a tough afternoon.

But in steps Jurgen Klopp, a man who is unbeaten in his last 13 matches against Newcastle. 

A fascinating encounter awaits. 

Source: Read Full Article