Jürgen Klopp said he had never seen an atmosphere like the one he witnessed in Liverpool’s last-gasp 2-1 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
It looked like game over for Liverpool after Virgil Van Dijk was sent off in the first half but the stage was indeed set for a dramatic finish.
Nunez buried an unstoppable equaliser moments after coming on as a late substitute and then showed composure to complete his brace and a turn-around goal to ensure that 10-men Liverpool went back home with all three points.
Anthony Gordon opened the scoring for Newcastle midway through the first period, with Van Dijk shown a straight red card for a foul on Alexander Isak not long after.
However, Klopp’s team showcased impressive resolve and quality to respond and snatch all three points in unforgettable style.
Klopp hails unbelievable atmosphere against Newcastle
Speaking after his side’s win, Klopp said: “For today, absolutely everything. I think in my 1,000 games as a coach or a manager I never had a game like this, that’s the truth. Not that we never turned games [around], we did that, but 10 men in an atmosphere like this against an opponent like this – it’s not that I can’t remember, I’m pretty sure it never happened because these moments are rare and super-special.”
“But I thought the boys deserved it today because with 10 men we played better and gave Newcastle a proper game. Before that it was a bit wild with, obviously, advantages for Newcastle with the 1-0. We didn’t play calm enough, we felt under pressure when we wouldn’t have to.”
He continued: “At half-time we showed the boys one situation, it was an offensive situation where Trent passed the ball behind the line to Cody Gakpo, where he comes from the left wing onto the right wing, where we can just get into their box and having finishing situations.”
“Two things were clear at half-time, or three things have to happen: Trent cannot get another yellow card, we cannot concede a second, and if that happens then we have a chance. And the boys, they were ready to work super-hard and… I think before Darwin scored we had already chances. What I remember now is when Diogo passed to Mo, which unfortunately [was blocked], but we had our moments and that’s important, that’s important. I think a year ago [last season at St. James’ Park] we were in a similar situation, we were 2-0 up, then red card, then we didn’t play football anymore.”
After a dramatic win at Tyneside, Liverpool will now aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they welcome Aston Villa to Anfield on Sunday.
