What a game and what a performance from both sets of players in an absolutely thrilling second half.

Mohamed Salah must be wondering how he ended up with just one point after scoring twice, hitting the bar, and providing an assist.

He thought he had secured the win when, in the 83rd minute, he scored his second goal to give Liverpool a 3-2 lead.

However, Newcastle deservedly earned a point, with Fabian Schar equalizing in the final minute of normal time.

Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players…

Caoimhin Kelleher – 5

Had almost nothing to do for half an hour then had absolutely no chance at all with Alexander Isak’s hammer hit. Brilliant stop minutes later to deny Anthony Gordon one on one.

It definitely was when he misjudged a last-minute free-kick, left it to fly over him…and was touched in at the far post.

Jarell Quansah – 6

Defensively it was a tough start against the pace of Gordon, but he didn’t just sit back – one driving run saw him tee up Mo Salah for a sight of goal, before also racing back to slide an important interception.

On the other hand he was run inside several times and got booked for hauling back his man after losing the ball himself.

A tough outing at right-back – looked more assured when moved to the centre but maybe lucky to not see a penalty against him too

Joe Gomez – 7

After 30 minutes, a fantastic recovery tackle—more of a touch than a tackle, actually—was used to prevent a particular goal.

He then utterly mishandled a back ball, though, which ought to have handed Newcastle a second goal. Caoimh deserves a drink.

On the hour, a courageous block stopped a powerful Gordon shot.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

Excellent reading of the game and stepping across to make several cut-outs in a first half littered with mistakes from those in red shirts.

Didn’t manage to halt Isak when he scored the opener but that was far from an error, just a brilliant early strike.

Amid a changing defensive line he was the constant, a one-man wall stopping passes, crosses and attempted dribbles into the box.

Andy Robertson – 5

Early on, I frequently got high upfield, but it had little impact.

He almost made a mistake in his box to give Newcastle a chance with a poor clearing, and his crosses, whether from deep or the byline, didn’t really come close to finding a red shirt.

When longer balls were hit to Murphy behind him, he appeared to be moving extremely slowly on the turn as well.

Robbo is now playing a lot of games in a row, and perhaps the game’s theme should be energy conservation.

Ryan Gravenberch – 5

Sloppy first touch several times in the first 45, leading to him losing the ball in poor areas or missing the chance to spin into space.

A bit better in possession after the break but never at the level he has been most of the season. As he must now start (and perform) against Everton it made sense to sub him here.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7

He had the first two efforts of the game, one a great strike well-saved and the other deflected onto the post.

However, he was booked 20 minutes in for a fairly soft challenge, a costly one as it means he’ll be suspended for the Everton match.

He was the player who tried to raise the tempo, get into Newcastle’s midfield, and push the team upfield. His defensive work remained strong even after receiving the yellow card.

Curtis Jones – 7

In and out of the game first half but started the second by clipping into the near top post for a much-needed equaliser.

Almost headed in a second soon after, then moved to No. 6 after the triple sub.

Mohamed Salah – 8 – Man of the Match

Loose touches characterised his, and much of the Reds’, first half – in particular when he was played in by Quansah and mis-controlled.

But it’s Salah, you expect something to happen even when he’s poor: so when the second half starts up and he ghosts infield and tees up an equaliser with the perfect weighted pass, that’s just normal these days.

Did nothing for another 15 minutes and then took control to score a swiped right-footed equaliser, smash the bar with nothing to aim at and bury his second on the swivel.

Twenty-one goals or assists in the league this season already. Pay him. Keep him.

Cody Gakpo – 6

His recent performances have solidified his place in the team, and the left wing is now his spot.

However, this was a game where he had no impact in the first half—partly due to a lack of supply, but also because Newcastle made the game narrow and aggressive, leaving our widest outlet as an observer for most of the time.

He flashed a shot wide and headed across goal in a much more active start to the second half, but soon faded again and was substituted as part of the triple change.

Darwin Nunez – 5

Made some early runs down the left but lacked service or end product when he had possession. Showed his usual effort to track back and inject energy into the team.

Somehow missed a chance from a yard out after the equalizer, then received a booking for dissent after accurately calling out the referee’s ineptitude.

Scuffed a really decent chance wide from seven yards.

Substitutes

Trent Alexander-Arnold (on for Gomez, 66′) – 7

Came on, assisted, fouled Gordon and was booked – a busy three minutes. Then assisted Salah again for his brace. Defensively definitely suspect in a frantic game but starts on Saturday.

Luis Diaz (on for Gakpo, 66′) – 6

Didn’t really get anywhere with his attempted dribbles or cut-ins, but stretched play and ran at the defence plenty.

Dominik Szoboszlai (on for Gravenberch, 66′) – 7

Immediately played a key role in the build-up to a goal, plus delivered a brilliant stepover in the lead-up to our third. Definitely a starter for the weekend.