Newcastle Vs Liverpool Drama: Approach To Hard Tekel To Van Dijk

Liverpool almost only took one point home from Newcastle United (Instagram/@liverpoolfc).

JAKARTA - Liverpool had to have a dramatic match when they visited Newcastle nited in the second week of the 2025/2026 Premier League, Tuesday, August 26, 2025, early morning WIB.

The Reds could not maintain a 2-0 lead through goals from Ryan Gravenberch (35') and Hugo Ekitike (46') despite the superior number of players.

Newcastle equalized 2-2 in the second half through Bruno Guimaraes (57') and William Osula (88') after Anthony Gordon got a red card immediately following a hard tackle to Virgil van Dijk.

Both goals of The Magpies were generated through set pieces. Luckily, Rio Ngumoha scored a winning goal in injury time so the Reds took home three points.

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, agrees that Newcastle's approach makes it difficult for his troops. Even so, he denied that the two conceded came from the wrong strategy.

"I'm not sure if I watched a football game today. It was a dead ball for set off, a long throw. It didn't have much to do with tactics."

"However, I really like how we hold on strong. The first half-hour, 45 minutes, it was very difficult. We didn't give up at all and won 1-0."

"Mereka (Newcastle) bermain dengan 10 orang, seperti yang diharapkan, merupakan nilai tambah yang besar bagi kami."

"However, when a goalkeeper takes every free kick, there's not much hope if you're one player ahead. That's why it's so hard to keep the score 2-0," Arne Slot said after the game.

Meanwhile, Van Dijk commented on Gordon's hard tackle on him. The captain did not sympathize with Gordon.

"I told him, if it wasn't a red card, it means I don't understand football. Unfortunately, things like this do happen in football. Whether he's serious or not, it's already happened," said the Dutchman.

On the other hand, Newcastle's manager, Eddie Howe, feels that this defeat is tough for his team. His troops have not won full points from two matches.

Before hosting Liverpool, The Magpies only played a goalless draw when they traveled to Aston Villa headquarters.

"The game was very tough for us. There were so many different emotions, but I was very proud of our performance, very happy with the way we played -- the incredible energy, the incredible intensity."

"I am very happy with the game plans that we follow and then adapt after playing with 10 people. We are a better team in the second half and the first half."

"I didn't get anything, plus injuries, suspension, and concussion, it's been a very bad day," Howe said.

Furthermore, Newcastle will visit Leeds United home on August 30, 2025, while Liverpool host Arsenal's strong opponent a day later.