Arne Slot reacts as Liverpool edge Newcastle in thriller | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has shared his thoughts after his side secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle United in their second league match of the season.

The Reds took the lead with goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, putting them two goals ahead before Newcastle found a way back.

Bruno Guimaraes pulled one back and Williams Osula levelled the score to set up a tense contest.

The game saw a significant turning point early when Anthony Gordon was sent off in the 48th minute following a rash challenge on Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool eventually found the decisive breakthrough in stoppage time, with 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha scoring in the 100th minute.

His strike not only won the game but also made him the youngest goal scorer in the club’s history.

Slot speaks on intensity and style of play

Speaking to SkySports after the match, Slot described the match as one dominated by physical battles and set-pieces rather than open play football.

“I’m not too sure if I saw a football match today. It was set-piece after set-piece, long throw.It didn’t have a lot to do with tactics, but I liked a lot how we stood strong.”

The Liverpool boss also highlighted how Newcastle made the game difficult, even with one player less.“Going down to 10-men, you would expect that that is a big plus for us, but when a goalkeeper takes every free kick, then there’s not so much help if you are one player up, and that’s why it was so difficult for us to bring the 2-0 over the line.”

Fans enjoyed the spectacle despite tactics

Slot explained that the lack of open play meant the extra man did not provide as much advantage as expected.“I don’t think there was so much open play to be played. In a set-piece, a long throw-in, a long ball from the goalkeeper, you don’t need an extra man.

It’s always nice to have an extra player on hand, but it’s just not as beneficial as if they want to bring the ball out from the back and we can press them.

So, yes, with the ball, the one and only attack that was good in the second half, apart from maybe the 2-0, that was the one that led to the goal, which was a great attack.”

He praised the winning goal while acknowledging the spectacle of the match.“And for the first time, we went from right to the middle to the left, and a great goal for a 16-year-old.”

“Maybe it wasn’t the best game in terms of tactics or in terms of playing football, but I think every fan everywhere around the world enjoyed watching this game of football, also because their fans were amazing in terms of the help they gave the home team.”

Liverpool now prepare to host Arsenal at Anfield as they continue their defence of the Premier League title.