Why Newcastle keep falling short against Liverpool in crucial matches | OneFootball

Newcastle’s Liverpool Struggles: Why Eddie Howe’s Side Can’t Overcome the Reds

Newcastle United have made enormous strides under Eddie Howe, yet one challenge remains unsolved—how to beat Liverpool. Since Howe took charge in November 2021, Newcastle have failed to register a single victory over the Reds.

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According to The Athletic, Liverpool are the only ever-present Premier League side that Howe has failed to beat in any competition. His record against them stands at seven games, six defeats, one draw—a statistic that highlights just how difficult Newcastle have found this fixture.

Yet the problems run even deeper. Newcastle’s struggles against Liverpool stretch back nearly a decade, with zero wins in the last 16 meetings and just one Premier League victory at Anfield in 31 years. Even Howe’s personal managerial record against Liverpool is bleak—one win in 20 matches.

So why does this fixture continue to haunt Newcastle? Is it purely down to Liverpool’s superior quality, or are there tactical and psychological barriers preventing Newcastle from getting the better of their long-time tormentors?

Mohamed Salah: Newcastle’s Biggest Nightmare

When analysing Newcastle’s repeated failures against Liverpool, one player stands out—Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has been Newcastle’s chief tormentor, delivering decisive moments time and time again.

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His numbers against Newcastle are staggering. In 15 appearances, Salah has scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists. Under Howe alone, he has five goals and six assists in seven matches—directly influencing every game but one.

The manner in which Salah hurts Newcastle is just as damaging as the sheer volume of his contributions. He delivers in crucial moments, shifting momentum when Newcastle appear to have a foothold.

His influence was clear once again in December’s 3-3 draw, where Liverpool overturned a deficit, with Salah at the heart of the comeback. The Egyptian set up Curtis Jones for an equaliser before scoring twice to put Liverpool ahead.

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In their 4-2 win at Anfield in January 2024, he repeated the trick, scoring twice and assisting one with an outrageous outside-of-the-boot cross. Even when he doesn’t score, he finds ways to hurt Newcastle—his assist for Darwin Núñez’s dramatic late winner at St James’ Park in August 2023 being another prime example.

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Salah’s relentless ability to punish Newcastle has made him a decisive factor in Liverpool’s dominance in this fixture. If Howe’s side want to stand any chance of turning the tide, nullifying the Egyptian must be their top priority.

Liverpool’s Late Goals and Newcastle’s Fitness Concerns

One of the most frustrating aspects of Newcastle’s struggles against Liverpool has been how they fade in the final stages of games.

December’s draw was a rare example of Newcastle scoring late against Liverpool, but the general trend has seen them concede crucial goals in the final minutes. Across the last seven meetings, Liverpool have scored seven goals from the 75th minute onwards, directly impacting results on multiple occasions.

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This pattern was brutally exposed in August 2022, when Fabio Carvalho’s 98th-minute winner at Anfield sparked chaotic scenes. Newcastle had competed well but ultimately collapsed under the relentless Liverpool pressure.

Newcastle’s high-intensity approach often causes problems for Liverpool in the opening stages. They have frequently taken the lead but failed to sustain their energy levels, allowing Liverpool to assert their dominance as the game progresses.

A major factor in this is squad depth. Liverpool’s superior attacking options allow them to bring on fresh legs and maintain their intensity, while Newcastle’s options from the bench have not always carried the same threat.

Bad Luck and Controversial Refereeing Decisions

There is also an argument that Newcastle’s failure to beat Liverpool has not been entirely of their own making. Several refereeing decisions and slices of misfortune have played a role.

One of the most infamous moments came in December 2021, when Diogo Jota equalised while Isaac Hayden was lying on the ground with a head injury.

Similarly, in August 2023, Van Dijk was sent off early at St James’ Park, but Newcastle failed to take advantage, losing 2-1 after Núñez’s late heroics.

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Nick Pope’s red card in February 2023 was another moment of misfortune, as his mistimed attempt to clear a long ball saw him dismissed, ruling him out of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final.

Add to that marginal offside calls, questionable penalty decisions, and Liverpool’s ability to find moments of brilliance, and it is clear that Newcastle have had their fair share of bad luck.

Tactical Issues and Fatigue Costing Newcastle

Beyond individual errors and unlucky moments, Newcastle’s approach has also played into Liverpool’s hands.

One of Newcastle’s strengths under Howe has been their aggressive pressing and quick transitions, but maintaining this intensity against Liverpool has often proved unsustainable.

When Newcastle have troubled Liverpool, it has often been in the first 30 minutes of games. Their press has unsettled Liverpool’s backline, and their quick forwards have exposed gaps.

However, as matches wear on, Newcastle tend to run out of steam, allowing Liverpool’s superior control and squad depth to take over.

This was particularly evident in August 2023, when Newcastle led 1-0 against 10-man Liverpool but failed to put the game to bed. Instead, they allowed Núñez to score twice in the dying moments.

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Newcastle’s pressing system is energy-intensive, and against a team like Liverpool, it has repeatedly left them vulnerable as the game progresses.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool fans will take great satisfaction in their continued dominance over Newcastle. Despite Newcastle’s rapid improvement in recent years, they still haven’t found a way to truly trouble Liverpool over 90 minutes.

From a Liverpool perspective, this fixture has followed a consistent formula—Newcastle start brightly, but Liverpool’s quality, depth, and experience ultimately shine through.

Mohamed Salah’s influence has been pivotal, but the contributions from Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, and Luis Díaz have also been crucial in maintaining this dominance. Liverpool’s ability to remain calm under pressure and strike late in games has repeatedly undone Newcastle’s efforts.

There is little doubt that Newcastle will eventually break their duck against Liverpool, but from a Liverpool fan’s perspective, it doesn’t feel like that moment is imminent. The Carabao Cup final will provide a fresh challenge, but history suggests Liverpool will once again have the edge.

Unless Eddie Howe finds a way to manage his side’s energy levels and Liverpool have an off day, it is difficult to see Newcastle’s struggles in this fixture coming to an end anytime soon.