Liverpool manager Arne Slot said "he is not too sure he saw a football match" in reference to Newcastle United's gameplan during his side's 3-2 win at St James' Park. The Reds' 16-year-old forward Rio Ngumoha scored a 100th-minute winner in a breathless match during which Newcastle fought back from 2-0 down with 10 men.
Opta's statistics indicate the ball was in play for 40.8% of the match - the lowest percentage in a Premier League match since February 2010. "I'm not too sure if I saw a football match," Slot told Sky Sports after the game. "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."
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.
There were 32 fouls in total - the most in a Premier League game so far this season. "It was a very difficult first half hour, 45 minutes. We didn't collapse at all and went 1-0 up," said Slot.
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