"I'm not sure I watched a proper football match today," Slot said after the game at St. James' Park. "It was all set pieces and long throw-ins. It wasn't very tactical, as I said before the match, but I'm very pleased with how the team stood firm. The first 30 minutes were very difficult, but we didn't collapse, we remained resolute."
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Manager Arne Slot directs Liverpool in their 3-2 victory against Newcastle in the second round of the Premier League at St. James' Park, England on 25/8/2025. Photo: Liverpool FC |
Manager Arne Slot directs Liverpool in their 3-2 victory against Newcastle in the second round of the Premier League at St. James' Park, England on 25/8/2025. Photo: Liverpool FC
The match at St. James' Park yesterday was chaotic from the start with 19 fouls before halftime. After Anthony Gordon's dismissal in first-half stoppage time, Newcastle shifted to a strategy focused on set pieces – a tactic that troubled Liverpool and led to two equalizing goals. The actual playing time was only 40.8% of the match – the lowest in the Premier League since Stoke's 3-0 win over Blackburn with 40% in 2/2010.
Liverpool led 2-0 thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike and had a numerical advantage. However, Slot argued that Newcastle's "anti-football" approach rendered Liverpool's one-man advantage less significant.
"There weren't many open-play situations for Liverpool to capitalize on," the Dutch manager analyzed. "With set pieces, long throw-ins, and long balls from the goalkeeper, you don't need a full 11 players. Having an extra player is good, but it's not as advantageous as when Newcastle tries to build from the back and we can press. That's why we struggled to maintain the 2-0 lead."
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Anthony Gordon's tackle on Virgil van Dijk. Photo: Propaganda |
Anthony Gordon's tackle on Virgil van Dijk. Photo: Propaganda
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Virgil van Dijk points to the injury on his right calf after Anthony Gordon's tackle. Photo: Offside |
Virgil van Dijk points to the injury on his right calf after Anthony Gordon's tackle. Photo: Offside
At the end of the first half, after reviewing the footage on the sideline monitor, referee Simon Hooper determined Gordon's tackle on Virgil van Dijk from behind to be dangerous and issued a straight red card. The Dutch center-back was furious with the dangerous foul, even pointing to the injury on his right calf to both Gordon and referee Simon Hooper.
"I told Gordon that if that wasn't a red card, then I don't understand football. Whether he meant it or not, it happens in football," Van Dijk said after the match.
The 34-year-old center-back also alluded to the tense atmosphere surrounding the match due to the future of Alexander Isak, the striker currently seeking a move from Newcastle to Liverpool. "We knew this was a difficult place to play; Newcastle were fueled by several factors this week," he said. "We're disappointed to concede from two set pieces, but overall, the three points are well-deserved."
Liverpool secured the victory thanks to a curled shot in the 100th minute from 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha. Van Dijk praised his younger teammate for a dream debut for Liverpool and in the Premier League, demonstrating confidence and composure in front of goal. Slot also commended his player, emphasizing that it was a rare instance where Liverpool could circulate the ball from the right wing, into midfield, and then to the left wing to score the decisive goal.
Hong Duy (ESPN, Sky Sports)
