Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool: result and report

Report

Liverpool needed a penalty in the ninth minute of stoppage time to take a point from Newcastle United. The equaliser came late, but the chance numbers suggest a draw was the least Liverpool deserved.

How the goals came

Anthony Elanga gave Newcastle United an early lead, scoring after five minutes from William Osula's pass. That lead held until the 55th minute, when Cody Gakpo equalised from Ryan Gravenberch's assist.

The equaliser did not last long. Joe Willock restored Newcastle United's lead two minutes later, with Yoane Wissa supplying the pass.

Liverpool: the chances against the scoreline

Liverpool finished with 3.64 xG to Newcastle United's 1.27. That gap, rather than the late drama, is the main story. Liverpool had seven shots on target to four and made 14 key passes to six, so two goals undersold the volume of their attacking play.

Gakpo was named player of the match. Beyond his goal, he was part of an attack that kept asking questions, while Newcastle United needed five saves to Liverpool's three to protect their lead.

There is one important qualification, though. The clearest openings were level: each side created three big chances and missed two. Liverpool produced more good attacks, but not more of the very best ones.

Newcastle United: sharper with less

Newcastle United had 39% of the ball and 26 dangerous attacks to Liverpool's 66, yet they still scored twice from eight shots. Both goals came from moves with a named assist, which suggests they made the most of their openings instead of relying on fortune.

The problem was what happened between those goals. Liverpool's pressure was far heavier across the match, and Newcastle spent most of the second half defending rather than adding to their lead.