Exposed without Isak: Howe was let down by 5/10 Newcastle star who lost the ball 17x - opinion

Newcastle United were beaten at Anfield as Eddie Howe's side had to make do without star striker Alexander Isak, absent with a slight groin issue.

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Liverpool's victory means Newcastle have now been defeated in four of their past six Premier League fixtures. Frankly, they were second best throughout the evening, with Isak's absence underscored by the failure to test Alisson even once.

There's still plenty to play for this season, success possible through three competitions, but Howe will know his team need to be much better when they meet Liverpool at Wembley next month.

How Newcastle were beaten at Anfield

When Luis Diaz played the onrushing Dominik Szoboszlai in after 11 minutes, Nick Pope needed to make the save and settle the nerves for the travelling Toon.

Nick Pope is beaten by Dominik Szoboszlai

Fabian Schar should have done better in snuffing out the cross but United's goalkeeper will be frustrated after failing to get a hand to Szoboszlai's somewhat tame strike.

This painful sequence underscored the crux of Newcastle's current issues: in five of their past six Premier League matches, Newcastle have conceded the first goal, having scored first against Fulham at St. James' Park but gone on to lose that one.

Isak's absence was sorely felt, but Newcastle have a talented frontline beyond that of the Sweden striker, and Anthony Gordon will be disappointed that he failed to showcase his talent at Anfield, having looked a bit lost without his free-scoring pal.

Anthony Gordon looked lost without Isak

Newcastle's Player of the Year for 2023/24, Gordon is a wonderful and dynamic forward, but he struggled on this return to Merseyside.

Fielded as a makeshift number ten to support Callum Wilson up front, he was well marshalled by Virgil van Dijk and co. Gordon might have fared better in a more conventional wide role, which was instead assumed by Joe Willock, who also flattered to deceive.

Anthony Gordon's Performance at Anfield

Match Stats

#

Minutes played

90'

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

44

Shots (on target)

1 (0)

Accurate passes

18/22 (82%)

Key passes

0

Possession lost

17x

Dribbles

1/4

Tackles

3

Duels won

5/13

Stats via Sofascore

The Chronicle Live's Lee Ryder did praise Gordon for being a 'willing runner' at Anfield, though rebuked his lack of a clinical touch in the same breath, giving him a 5/10 match rating that illustrated a disappointing evening.

Having mustered just the one shot - blocked - and failed to find the sprightly Wilson with a single key pass, Gordon struggled for fluency against Liverpool's redoubtable backline, though it would be remiss to question his commitment, making three tackles and winning five duels.

He did try to make things happen, but having ceded possession 17 times without making a meaningful creative contribution, it's clear Gordon missed Isak's world-class striking presence.

Anthony Gordon looks dejected for Liverpool

Ultimately, one to forget for Newcastle, who now need to rally ahead of the weekend's FA Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion and a make-or-break run of fixtures in the Premier League and, indeed, a Carabao Cup final against none other than Liverpool.

Might revenge be on the cards?

Anthony Gordon celebrates for Newcastle