Fabio Carvalho’s stunning volley five minutes into stoppage time gave Liverpool a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United, ending the visitors’ unbeaten start to the season and keeping Jurgen Klopp’s team in touch with the early Premier League pacesetters.
Alexander Isak’s debut goal for Newcastle had given Eddie Howe’s team a first-half lead, but Roberto Firmino’s second-half equaliser appeared to have earned a draw for Liverpool before Carvalho sealed the win in the 98th minute by volleying in off the crossbar.
Fabio Carvalho’s heroics not only ended Newcastle’s unbeaten start to the season, but they also kept Jurgen Klopp’s team in touch with the league’s early pacesetters.
Following Alexander Isak’s first-half goal for Newcastle, which gave Eddie Howe’s team a first-half lead, Liverpool appeared destined for a draw until Roberto Firmino’s second-half equaliser.
However, Carvalho’s goal sealed the victory, causing wild celebrations in the stands and on the touchline, where coaching staff and substitutes from both teams clashed during the celebrations.
The joyous scenes reflected the significance of Liverpool’s victory.
With a growing midfield injury crisis and record signing Darwin Nunez serving the final game of a three-match suspension, Liverpool risked falling dangerously behind the leaders.
Even though Saturday’s 9-0 win over AFC Bournemouth was their only victory of the season, another loss would have left Liverpool with a lot of work to do to catch leaders Arsenal and champions Manchester City.
Carvalho’s winner, however, will have changed the mood at Anfield ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park, and it could prove to be a turning point in Klopp’s team’s season.
“I was just in the right area. Look at this, these fans they kept us going…Without the fans this wouldn’t be possible. We just kept going and a well deserved three points.” — Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho, to BT Sport.
“That’s the pain of football. That’s the horrible side of it when your team has given everything. It is a sickener for us but it is part of the game. We just didn’t deal with the corner.”– Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, to BBC Sport.
