Fabian Schar delivered a dramatic late equaliser to secure Newcastle a 3-3 draw against Liverpool in one of the most thrilling matches of the season. The result ended the league leaders’ winning streak and underscored Newcastle’s ability to challenge top teams at St James’ Park.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was once again instrumental, scoring twice to bring his tally to nine goals in seven Premier League games. His performance not only reinforced Liverpool’s title challenge but also strengthened calls for a contract extension. However, Newcastle’s resilience and determination, led by Alexander Isak, ensured the spoils were shared in an unforgettable contest.
The game began with Newcastle asserting their trademark intensity. Their energy and sharpness were evident from the start, as they pressed Liverpool and created early opportunities. Sandro Tonali tested Caoimhin Kelleher after a well-worked move, with Anthony Gordon providing a dangerous delivery from the left.
Newcastle had recently suffered a disappointing defeat at home to West Ham and a lackluster draw at Crystal Palace. However, against Liverpool, they looked reinvigorated. Playing on the counterattack, they caused problems for Liverpool’s defense, which lacked its usual solidity, especially with Trent Alexander-Arnold starting on the bench. Jarell Quansah, filling in, struggled at times to cope with Gordon’s pace and trickery.
The breakthrough came courtesy of Alexander Isak, who had endured a mixed season thus far. Collecting a reverse pass from Bruno Guimarães, Isak’s superb swivel left Virgil van Dijk off balance. With a powerful and dipping strike from 20 yards, he beat Kelleher to give Newcastle a deserved lead. The Swedish striker’s moment of brilliance reminded everyone of his potential and his importance to the team.
Kelleher, deputizing for the injured Alisson, kept Liverpool in the game with a series of crucial saves. His efforts denied Newcastle a second goal, notably when Gordon evaded Joe Gomez only to see his shot thwarted by the goalkeeper. Despite Newcastle’s dominance, Liverpool remained in the contest, and their attacking threat began to grow.
Liverpool’s equalizer came early in the second half, spearheaded by Salah’s vision and skill. A perfectly weighted long ball found the Egyptian, who outfoxed Lewis Hall before delivering a sublime outside-foot cross. Curtis Jones met it first-time, rifling the ball past Nick Pope to level the scores.
The visitors gained momentum, with Cody Gakpo and Darwin Núñez both coming close to putting Liverpool ahead. However, Newcastle weathered the storm and struck again. Isak, pivotal throughout, delivered a precise through ball to Gordon, who finally found the net. His calm finish gave Newcastle a 2-1 advantage and reignited the home crowd’s belief.
Moments later, Newcastle thought they had a third when Isak found the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. The warning spurred Liverpool into action, and the introduction of Alexander-Arnold transformed their attacking play. His understanding with Salah once again proved pivotal. A pinpoint cross from the right allowed Salah to equalize with a clinical finish, swinging momentum back in Liverpool’s favor.
As the rain poured, Liverpool pressed for a winner. Salah struck again after another combination with Alexander-Arnold, turning sharply and firing into the net to complete a stunning personal performance. At 3-2, it seemed the visitors had secured a hard-fought victory.
But Newcastle had other plans. Deep into stoppage time, a set-piece situation led to chaos in Liverpool’s box. Fabian Schär seized the moment, lashing the ball into the net following a defensive lapse. The equalizer was a fitting end to a pulsating encounter that showcased the grit and quality of both sides.
The draw provided plenty of talking points. Salah’s brilliance highlighted why Liverpool remain serious title contenders, while Newcastle demonstrated they can compete with the Premier League’s best when they hit their stride. Both teams will take lessons from the game as they continue their campaigns, but for the fans at St James’ Park, it was a night to remember.
