Newcastle, England, Aug 27 – Darwin Nunez emerged as the unlikely hero, stepping off the bench to score a brace that propelled Liverpool to a stunning 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday. This triumph saw the visitors rebounding from the adversity of a first-half straight red card that left them a player short after captain Virgil van Dijk’s expulsion.
Entering the fray in the 77th minute, the Uruguayan striker seized the spotlight with two exquisite goals, marking his first Premier League goals since his strike against Leeds United in April.
Despite having seemingly slid down the pecking order among Liverpool’s attacking talents, the 24-year-old managed to outshine Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, who had appeared poised to end his team’s 13-game league drought without a win over Juergen Klopp’s side.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had collected an early yellow card, escaped further punishment despite pulling down Gordon, but his mishap provided Newcastle the lead in the 25th minute. A fumbled control allowed Gordon to capitalize on the situation, darting past Alisson Becker to slot the ball home.
Van Dijk’s early exit came shortly after, as referee John Brooks brandished a straight red card for the defender’s foul on Alexander Isak just outside the box. The VAR endorsed the decision, casting Liverpool into a challenging situation.
This catalyzed a spell of ascendancy for the home team, with Alisson producing a splendid save, tipping Miguel Almiron’s fierce volley onto the crossbar in the 36th minute. Almiron squandered another golden opportunity by sending a shot over the bar five minutes into the second half, capitalizing on their numerical advantage. In the 76th minute, he struck the post, further compounding Newcastle’s frustration.
The introduction of Nunez would prove to be a game-changer. He leveled the score when Sven Botman faltered, allowing Nunez to drive the ball past Nick Pope and into the far corner.
As the game appeared destined for a draw, Nunez struck again in the third minute of added time with a nearly identical finish, inflicting despair on the home supporters while the Liverpool contingent, led by coach Klopp, erupted in jubilation on the pitch.
An elated Nunez shared his sentiments with Sky Sports, stating, “I’m very pleased to contribute to the team’s success. Despite going down to ten men, the team displayed remarkable resilience. We’ve dedicated extensive effort for these moments, and I’m content to have netted two goals to assist the team.” Alisson acted as his translator during the interview.
The triumph marked a testament to Liverpool’s resilience, with Nunez’s resurgence and clinical finishing propelling them to a triumphant comeback against all odds.
