Liverpool player ratings: one 9/10 an 8/10 but one 5/10 and a 2/10 in Newcastle United victory - gallery

Ben McKenna
·4-min read
Pretty faultless again for the Reds. Made six saves, one of which was a stunning dive to palm Miguel Almirón’s fierce volley onto the crossbar to keep the Reds in it shortly after going down to 10 men.
Pretty faultless again for the Reds. Made six saves, one of which was a stunning dive to palm Miguel Almirón’s fierce volley onto the crossbar to keep the Reds in it shortly after going down to 10 men.

Darwin Nunez bagged his first goals of the season as Liverpool came from behind to dramatically defeat Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds went 1-0 down to Anthony Gordon’s opener midway through the first half after Trent Alexander-Arnold miscontrolled a pass from Mohamed Salah to allow the former Everton winger to break clear and finish past Alisson Becker.

Things went from bad to worse for Liverpool minutes later as Virgil van Dijk was sent off for bringing down Alexander Isak on the edge of the penalty area.

Struggled badly against Gordon and almost got himself sent off but escaped a second yellow card early on. Was unable to provide much going forward. Grave error gifted Newcastle their opener. Recovered well in the second half.
Struggled badly against Gordon and almost got himself sent off but escaped a second yellow card early on. Was unable to provide much going forward. Grave error gifted Newcastle their opener. Recovered well in the second half.

Alisson made a superb stop to palm Miguel Almirón’s fierce volley onto the crossbar to keep Liverpool in it. The winger later struck the post but Newcastle were largely limited after the red card.

Nunez was brought on late with the game in the balance, and the striker pounced on an error from Sven Botman to fire home with a great finish from a tight angle to draw the Reds level as his shot went across Nick Pope and in off the post.

Then, in stoppage time, a perfectly-weighted pass from Salah sent Nunez in again with the striker keeping his composure to snatch all three points for the Reds.

It is the second week in a row Liverpool have come from behind to pick up all three points with Jurgen Klopp’s side now on seven points from a possible nine. Here’s how LiverpoolWorld rated the performances from the Reds players at St James’ Park...

A poor challenge resulted in his dismissal and left the Reds with 10 men for over an hour. He will be a relieved man.
A poor challenge resulted in his dismissal and left the Reds with 10 men for over an hour. He will be a relieved man.
Brought into the starting line-up for the injured Ibrahima Konaté, the centre-back did little wrong at the back with Newcastle’s chances largely limited. Was replaced by Jarell Quansah after 77 minutes, likely to protect his fitness.
Brought into the starting line-up for the injured Ibrahima Konaté, the centre-back did little wrong at the back with Newcastle’s chances largely limited. Was replaced by Jarell Quansah after 77 minutes, likely to protect his fitness.
Made a vital block late on to keep out Almiron’s shot at 1-1. Looked more assured compared to the opening two games of the campaign.
Made a vital block late on to keep out Almiron’s shot at 1-1. Looked more assured compared to the opening two games of the campaign.
Made his first start and did little wrong. Could do nothing about the goal which came from Alexander-Arnold’s error. It still feels that Liverpool need more cover in that area, however.
Made his first start and did little wrong. Could do nothing about the goal which came from Alexander-Arnold’s error. It still feels that Liverpool need more cover in that area, however.
A strong performance from the summer arrival. Made three tackles and completed three dribbles as he looked to pierce through the Newcastle rearguard. Was unable to push forward as much following the red card.
A strong performance from the summer arrival. Made three tackles and completed three dribbles as he looked to pierce through the Newcastle rearguard. Was unable to push forward as much following the red card.
Still settling in but looked threatening alongside Szoboszlai early on before being tasked with containing the hosts after the red card.
Still settling in but looked threatening alongside Szoboszlai early on before being tasked with containing the hosts after the red card.
Made a great solo run with the ball at his feet to create a chance out of nothing early in the game which was well saved by Nick Pope. Was subbed off following Van Dijk’s red to allow Joe Gomez to come on at centre-back.
Made a great solo run with the ball at his feet to create a chance out of nothing early in the game which was well saved by Nick Pope. Was subbed off following Van Dijk’s red to allow Joe Gomez to come on at centre-back.
Was unable to get much to stick up top with his involvment more limited following the red card. Was replaced by Diogo Jota after 58 minutes.
Was unable to get much to stick up top with his involvment more limited following the red card. Was replaced by Diogo Jota after 58 minutes.
Looked to get at Dan Burn in the first half, created one opening midway through first half but put his shot straight at Pope. Chances limited after the red card, with the winger denied by a superb block from Sven Botman at around 67 minutes. Provided the key pass for Nunez late on.
Looked to get at Dan Burn in the first half, created one opening midway through first half but put his shot straight at Pope. Chances limited after the red card, with the winger denied by a superb block from Sven Botman at around 67 minutes. Provided the key pass for Nunez late on.
A lot of pressure on his shoulders as he came on to fill in for the dismissed Van Dijk. Restricted the hosts to a couple of chances.
A lot of pressure on his shoulders as he came on to fill in for the dismissed Van Dijk. Restricted the hosts to a couple of chances.
Slipped in a clever ball to Salah which was well blocked. Provided a good outlet down the left to relieve a lot of pressure at times. An effective change from Klopp.
Slipped in a clever ball to Salah which was well blocked. Provided a good outlet down the left to relieve a lot of pressure at times. An effective change from Klopp.
Produced a really mature performance after coming on for Endo. Completed 94 per cent of his passes, keeping the ball just when Liverpool needed it. Another smart sub.
Produced a really mature performance after coming on for Endo. Completed 94 per cent of his passes, keeping the ball just when Liverpool needed it. Another smart sub.
Brought on late with the game in the balance, the striker pounced on an error from Botman to fire home with a great finish from a tight angle to draw the Reds level. Just what he needed. And then kept his composure to hit home the winner for the 10 men in stoppage time. Named player of the match.
Brought on late with the game in the balance, the striker pounced on an error from Botman to fire home with a great finish from a tight angle to draw the Reds level. Just what he needed. And then kept his composure to hit home the winner for the 10 men in stoppage time. Named player of the match.
Wasn’t given much to do as the 20-year-old made his senior Reds debut.
Wasn’t given much to do as the 20-year-old made his senior Reds debut.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the team's first goal to equalise during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St. James Park on August 27, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the team's first goal to equalise during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St. James Park on August 27, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)