Darwin Nunez on Sunday came off the bench to score twice in the final 10 minutes as 10-man Liverpool came from a goal down to stun Newcastle United 2-1 at St James’ Park.
Anthony Gordon had pounced on a Trent Alexander-Arnold mistake to put the Magpies in front before Virgil van Dijk was sent off for bringing down Alexander Isak inside half an hour.
However, Newcastle failed to make the advantage count and were punished when Nunez produced two moments of rare quality so far in his Liverpool career to turn the game on its head.
Photo: Reuters
“With 10 men in my history, 1,000 games [as a manager], I have never had something like that. At Newcastle, in this stadium with that atmosphere, it is crazy,” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said.
Liverpool spent a club-record ￡85 million (US$106.9 million) on Nunez just more than a year ago, but the Uruguayan has found himself behind Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo in the battle to be Klopp’s preferred No. 9 early in the season.
Nunez was unleashed from the bench 13 minutes from time and made the most of his opportunity as he was twice released behind the Newcastle defense and kept his nerve to fire low and hard beyond Nick Pope.
Photo: AFP
“We calmed the game down and brought on Darwin. He was obviously fired up from not starting,” Klopp said. “It’s clear he’s not happy, but it’s early in the season, we need to find stability and results.”
“We need to find a way of playing. This is a new team with new key players. It needs time. He scores two goals and can’t get the smile off his face,” Klopp added.
Victory keeps Liverpool two points behind leaders Manchester City and lays down an early-season marker after Newcastle usurped the Reds to secure the UEFA Champions League win last season.
“We should have put the game to bed, and that’s the thing we are kicking ourselves about,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said.
LA LIGA
AFP, BARCELONA
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal shone in a thrilling 4-3 win for the Spanish champions at Villarreal on Sunday.
The 16-year-old winger, making only his second start for the club, hit the woodwork twice and set up the opening goal for Gavi in an impressive performance that stood out amid a chaotic battle.
Veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski tapped home the winning goal, his first of the season, after Yamal’s drive hit the post, to send Barca provisionally third.
“We have to look at our youth academy, and even more so given the situation we’re in economically,” Barca coach Xavi told Movistar, after also giving midfielder Fermin Lopez his debut as a substitute.
“Lamine had another great game. He helped us a lot. He set up a couple of goals and he created so much at 16 years old,” he said.
“Luckily I play without fear, I try to forget about that and just play football, which is what I’m good at,” Yamal told Movistar. “My mother is a bit afraid when I play as a starter, but she supports me a lot.”
BUNDESLIGA
AFP, BERLIN
Just two weeks after his big money move to Bayern Munich, England captain Harry Kane on Sunday said he is “loving the chemistry” he shares with his new teammates.
Speaking after scoring twice on his home league debut in a 3-1 win over Bavarian derby rivals Augsburg, Kane said he was already building an on-field understanding with his colleagues.
“I’ve been here a few weeks now and I’ve been loving the chemistry that we’ve built,” Kane told broadcaster DAZN. “That will only grow more and more as we play.”
Kane scored Bayern’s second from the penalty spot late in the first half and brought up his brace with a deft chip midway through the second period.
“He’s a world-class footballer and a wonderful guy. You notice his aura immediately in the dressing room,” teammate Leon Goretzka said. “He helps us extremely, he’s a leader.”
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