EPL: LIVERPOOL MANAGER CRITICIZES NEWCASTLE’S DEFENSIVE TACTICS AFTER HARD-FOUGHT WIN
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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has conveyed his doubt regarding whether he experienced a legitimate football match following his team’s exhilarating 3-2 triumph over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The Reds clinched the victory with a goal in the 100th minute from 16-year-old forward Rio Ngumoha in an intensely competitive contest.
Despite being reduced to 10 players, Newcastle mounted a determined resurgence from a 2-0 deficit, rendering the game a gripping and unpredictable struggle until the final whistle.
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As reported by BBC Sports on Tuesday, Opta’s figures reveal that the ball was in play for 40.8 percent of the match – the lowest proportion in a Premier League encounter since February 2010.
“I’m not too sure if I saw a football match. “It was set-piece after set-piece, long throws. It didn’t have a lot to do with tactics. But I liked a lot how we stood strong,” Slot told Sky Sports after the game.
The match was played out against the backdrop of Alexander Isak’s desire to leave Newcastle for Liverpool, which contributed to a feisty atmosphere inside the stadium.
That translated onto the pitch, with Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon shown a red card for a rash challenge on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk shortly before half-time.
A total of 32 fouls were committed – the highest in a Premier League match this season.
“It was an exceedingly challenging first half-hour, 45 minutes. We did not falter at all and managed to take a 1-0 lead.
“With Newcastle reduced to 10 men, one would anticipate a significant advantage for us; however, when a goalkeeper executes every free kick, there is considerably limited optimism if you have a numerical advantage. That is why it was exceedingly challenging to secure the 2-0 result,” he further remarked.
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