Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe calls Liverpool equaliser ‘unjust’ as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praises Trent Alexander-Arnold | Football News

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has called Diogo Jota’s equaliser for Liverpool on Thursday “unjust”, with Isaac Hayden injured in the build-up.

Liverpool were 3-1 winners against Newcastle in their Premier League encounter at Anfield, but there was controversy in the first half as Jota cancelled out Jonjo Shelvey’s opener.

Hayden and Fabian Schar had both gone down after being caught in the middle of a huddle as a Liverpool corner was delivered, with Hayden staying down and appearing to clutch his head.

However, play continued as Jota scored, much to the dismay of Newcastle. Despite valid protests, the goal stood. Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold went on to score in the remainder of the game.

Reflecting on the equaliser, Howe told BT Sport: “I’m really disappointed with Liverpool’s first goal. I need to see it again but it was clear to me that Isaac [Hayden] went down holding his head immediately. In my opinion, the game should have been stopped.

“It’s had a huge bearing on the game. We had the lead. It feels unjust and I feel it was doubly hard on our players.

“I think [the referee Mike Dean] said to me he felt Isaac had held his back. For me, he held his head. He was dazed for four or five minutes. It’s a dangerous moment where we have to think about the players’ safety. I don’t think you want to see games decided when players are out of the game.”

Klopp: Trent technique on a different level

Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, was full of praise for Alexander-Arnold after his sensational late third goal. The right-back took one touch before thundering home from 25 yards.

The Liverpool manager told BT Sport: “It was a stunner, unbelievable. His shooting technique is absolutely different level. In games like this, staying positive, staying offensive-minded in moments like this, just take the chance. Thank God Mike Dean is good on his legs so he could get out of the way!”

However, he distanced himself from the Jota equaliser debate, adding: “I didn’t see it back. Both got up later. I’m not saying it’s like this situation, but really quite frequently players go down in the box when they lose a challenge, but I don’t know, I couldn’t see it. The assistant on my side told me it was all good, that two players on the same team came together.”

Alexander-Arnold: I’ve been waiting for that

Man of the moment Alexander-Arnold said he had been waiting for a goal of that calibre for a long time, but insists Liverpool did not cheat when it came to their equaliser.

He told BT Sport: “I’ve been waiting for that [type of goal] for five years. I’ve had a few ones from the edge of the box and dragged them. I’ve caught that one sweet and it nestled in the top corner, a sweet strike and put the game to bed.”

On the Hayden incident, he said: “You’re not really looking at who’s on the ground, who’s up. But if it’s a head injury, it’s down to the referee to stop it. He didn’t. We played to the whistle and scored. We didn’t cheat or do anything unsportsmanlike.”

The result sees Liverpool back into second, a point behind Manchester City. However, they have opened up a three-point gap over Chelsea, who dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Everton.

Alexander-Arnold added: “You don’t want the teams around you doing well but the focus is on us. It’s about making sure we’re consistent and winning every game we can. The games come thick and fast so any minor slip can prove costly come April or May.

“Until we’re told otherwise, we’ll be in there every day [training] and making sure we’re fit for Sunday, a big game against Tottenham.”

What’s next?

Liverpool are at Tottenham on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 4.30pm, while Newcastle host Man City at 2.15pm on Super Sunday, also live on Sky Sports Premier League.