Howe backs Newcastle squad after Liverpool loss: ‘That was a great performance’ The Reds won 3-2 thanks to a goal ten minutes into injury-time through teenager Rio Ngumoha. Anthony Gordon was sent off for Newcastle just before halftime.
Howe said afterwards: “I think it was a great performance from the players, both first and second half in very different ways., First half we thought we dominated the game. We were in a great place with just the goal missing.
“Second half we had a mountain to climb at 2-0 down with 10 men but I thought we controlled the game. I thought we were really good and fought our way back unbelievably well but couldn’t get over the line to get a point.
“I think it’s tough to play against 11 men, especially against a team with the quality of Liverpool. The first goal was key, it gave us belief, it got us back into the match and we always felt if the margin was one we’d be able to get something from the match.”
On Gordon’s red card, Howe said: “I’ve only seen it once back and it was very quick as the game was going on. I think Anthony was going in full blooded into the challenge and he’s tried to pull out and slipped and his momentums taken him in. It didn’t look good but I don’t think there was any intent.”
The Toon manager was delighted for William Osula after the Dane’s goal, adding: “It was a great finish from him and a big moment for us because at that moment you think could we go on and win the game.
“We put a lot of set plays into their box, we asked a lot of questions of them defensively but you always feel in that moment, especially with 11 minutes of injury time there’s always going to be chances for both teams and unfortunately, they took two of theirs in that second half. It’s a great finish from their perspective. We’d be disappointed with how we conceded that, even though we had a man less.”