Liverpool were pegged back by Fabian Schar’s late equaliser as Newcastle held the Premier League leaders to a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James’ Park.
Mohamed Salah was looking like the hero again for Liverpool after his late double saw the league leaders come from behind twice to lead Newcastle until the 90th minute.
However, Caoimhin Kelleher’s late error allowed Schar to grab a share of the spoils for Eddie Howe’s side as Liverpool dropped points in the race for the title.
Newcastle did put Liverpool to the sword for the majority of the first half and they were rewarded when Alexander Isak, who was a fitness doubt before the game, powered a strike past Kelleher to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Liverpool were looking flat and had work to do at the break but whatever Arne Slot said to his players did the trick.
From out of nothing, Salah’s pass picked out Curtis Jones, who swept the ball past Nick Pope for the equaliser.
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring Liverpool’s third goal of the game
Just moments later, Liverpool should have been ahead. Cody Gakpo’s header dropped wide of the far post but Darwin Nunez couldn’t apply a touch to put the visitors in front.
It proved a costly miss as Liverpool were behind again midway through the second half. Isak sent Anthony Gordon into the penalty area and the former Everton player squeezed the ball past Kelleher.
Newcastle had the ball in the net again but Isak was offside before Liverpool showed their title credentials again. Salah was the saviour once more, popping up to convert substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross to bring the scores level again.
For so long, it looked like Liverpool might not get anything from the game but Salah produced the goods, sweeping the ball into the far corner to give his side the lead for the first time in the game with his 15th goal of the season.
Slot’s side looked to be heading for a huge three points in the race for the title but in the 90th minute, Gordon’s free-kick floated over Kelleher’s head as he left it for what he thought was going to be a goal kick. However, Schar stole in at the far post and produced a remarkable finish to keep the title race interesting.
He has done remarkably well for us and even today he was good for us. Unfortunately, he misjudged the situation.
Wins for Chelsea and Arsenal on Wednesday have cut Liverpool’s lead down from nine to seven point, while Man City’s win against Nottingham Forest stopped their rot. Pep Guardiola’s side are now nine points behind the Liverpool.
Slot talks up ‘special player’ Salah | ‘We hope Salah can continue this for a long time’
Liverpool boss Slot hailed “special” Salah after seeing him fire the Premier League leaders to the brink of victory at Newcastle.
The 32-year-old Egypt international’s future at Anfield remains a topic of debate with his current contract running down.
Asked about Salah’s future, Slot said: “It’s difficult for me to predict the long-term future, but the only thing I can expect or predict is that he is in a very good place at the moment.
“After the week we had we could change the game which is a very positive thing to take. Every time we need Mo Salah he scores a goal. We are hoping and expecting he can continue this for a long time. He was outstanding in the second half, he did many special things for us.
“He plays in a very good team that provides him with good opportunities and then he is able to do special things.
“And what makes him for me even more special is that in the first hour or before we scored to make it 1-1, you thought, ‘He’s not playing his best game today’, and to then come up with a half-hour or 45 minutes – I don’t know how long it was – afterwards with an assist, two goals, having a shot on the bar, being a constant threat, that is something not many players can do if they’ve played the first hour like he did.
“That is also what makes him special. If you just look at the goals, his finish is so clinical. He’s a special player, but that’s what we all know.”
‘A good point but Liverpool will be disappointed’
Clinton Morrison on Soccer Special:
“Liverpool will be kicking themselves.
“Kelleher is a brilliant young goalkeeper and is getting better with every game, but he makes an error. He doesn’t see Schar behind him.
“But full credit to Schar, the finish is outrageous. What a superb finish.
“Liverpool will be disappointed to not come away with all three points, especially after getting back into the game.
But Newcastle were outstanding on the night. It was a brilliant game of football with two really good teams going at it.
“When you have Salah in your team you have class.
“When they look at this game down the line, it’s a good point. But they will be disappointed to not have all three.”
Howe: ‘Newcastle’s mental quality came to fore’
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Amazon Prime:
“How do I feel? Positive, that was much better from us. You know with the quality Liverpool have off the bench we could have an issue and that’s what happened.
“But our mental quality came to the fore and we got the equaliser. We had chances to make it 2-0, we scored three goals and looked dynamic and energetic.
“I am really proud. We went toe-to-toe and matched them, it’s our best of the season. Our game plan was to be ourselves which is difficult against a team like Liverpool, it’s a delicate balance.
“Alexander Isak was really good tonight, if we get our players firing we are some team.”
