LIVERPOOL: Eddie Howe believes several key penalty calls cost his side a share of the spoils in a one-sided Newcastle United loss at Liverpool.
The Reds broke a Premier League expected goals record on the night, recording an XG of 7.27 — the most in a topflight game since records began in 2010/2011. They also had 34 shots to Newcastle’s five, eventually winning the game 4-2 due to a Mo Salah double and strikes from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo. Alexander Isak and Sven Botman netted for the Magpies.
However, Howe expressed his disappointment at a number of key calls in both boxes made by referee Anthony Taylor and his assistant referees in the VAR control room. Howe was unhappy at the awarding of both Liverpool penalties, one missed, the other scored, as well as the decision to give a spot-kick for a foul on Sean Longstaff, with the game finely poised at 2-1.
Head coach Howe said: “I thought Liverpool played very well. It was a really tough game for us.
“I’m still confused over the penalties we conceded. The second one especially didn’t look like a penalty. We had one before that (was not given), that was probably the turning point.
“I think there are two ways to look at it. The challenge on Longstaff was a penalty and that changes the game massively and then Liverpool go up the other end and for me that wasn’t a penalty. That’s a very tough moment for us.
“Take away the penalty moments the goals we conceded we’re disappointed with. We know we can do better in those moments. We were asked a lot of questions, their movement, their quality. The majority of time we came up with some really good defensive passages of play but in those moments we switched off and we’re disappointed.
“It was a really good performance from Liverpool. They made it very difficult for us and we did very well to come in at half-time at 0-0. We were in the game right until the end. The character and commitment was of the highest level. Maybe not our best performance but a lot of effort given.”
The result was Newcastle’s seventh loss in eight, easily their worst since the majority takeover by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund. And while there is upset in the Newcastle fan base, few are calling for managerial pressure to be placed on Howe by the club’s owners. Instead, many want to see him backed in the transfer window, after trading opened for a month on Jan. 1.
Howe continued: “We’re battling to get our best levels back. The effort and determination was there. As long as we continue to see that we’ll be fine.
“The most important thing is we’re fighting. We’re missing a lot of players, we’ve had a lot of tough fixtures in a congested December.”
Howe, already without nine squad members heading to Merseyside, saw his injury concerns deepen further as England internationals Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson both missed the game after picking up injuries against Nottingham Forest.
And while Trippier may be fit enough to return for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Sunderland, Wilson is definitely out.
Howe said: “Kieran has a groin problem, both injuries picked up against Nottingham Forest. We’re unsure how serious Kieran’s is but we hope we can get him back pretty quickly. Callum will be missing the next two games.”
