Newcastle United's unbeaten run in the Premier League has come to an end following a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at St James' Park.
Darwin Nunez gave Liverpool the lead in the 10th minute before Cody Gakpo doubled the visitors' advantage just a few minutes later. Newcastle's evening went from bad to worse when Nick Pope was sent off midway through the first half for handling the ball outside his area.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Liverpool highlights
Not the birthday surprise Yasir Al-Rumayyan had in mind
No side has conceded fewer goals or kept more clean sheets in the Premier League this season than Newcastle. Yet you would not have known it after the hosts conceded two goals in the space of just seven minutes.
Following a bright start - Newcastle were dominant and on the front foot - the Magpies were undone by a simple ball over the top after just seven minutes. As good as Trent Alexander-Arnold's lofted pass was, the Liverpool defender had all the time he needed to pick his spot, with no one bothering to close him down. That is not to say a goal was a foregone conclusion, but Darwin Nunez was played onside by Kieran Trippier and the Liverpool striker took full advantage.
If that was a poor goal to concede, Newcastle did not cover themselves in glory for Liverpool's second, either, and Stefan Bajcetic was allowed to carry the ball forward unopposed in the build-up. Although Mohamed Salah's dinked pass was exquisite, it caught Newcastle's defence napping and Cody Gakpo finished calmly past Pope.
Given how well Newcastle have defended in recent months, this was not the birthday surprise Yasir Al-Rumayyan will have had in mind when Newcastle's chairman jetted in for this game as the Magpies' 17-game unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end.
Nick Pope gives Newcastle huge cup headache
Not even Alisson would have imagined what was about to happen when the Liverpool goalkeeper booted the ball up the field and sent Mohammed Salah racing clear midway through the first half. Nick Pope, in trademark style, raced out of his goal to sweep up but the Newcastle shot-stopper slipped and inexplicably grabbed the ball well outside the area. Referee Anthony Taylor was left with no other choice but to brandish the red card as Newcastle conceded two goals and had a man sent off in the space of just 12 minutes.
If going down to 10 men at 2-0 down was already bad enough with so much time left to play, it quickly dawned on everyone inside the stadium that Pope would also miss next weekend's Carabao Cup final. With Martin Dubravka cup-tied, and Karl Darlow on loan at Hull City, Loris Karius looks set to start at Wembley with no other obvious solution other than Mark Gillespie. To think it will be the German's first competitive appearance for the club.
Newcastle show some fight against odds
It would have been easy for heads to drop when Newcastle went 2-0 down - let alone when Nick Pope was sent off- but the Magpies kept pushing and kept fighting even after going down to 10 men. That, in turn, kept the supporters in the game and Newcastle came close to getting back into this.
Allan Saint-Maximin saw a shot tipped onto the crossbar by Alisson just after the half-hour mark while Dan Burn's header struck the woodwork in the 41st minute from Kieran Trippier's corner. Newcastle also created some big opportunities after the break; Fabian Schar headed wide from a corner in the 56th minute while Callum Wilson was denied one-on-one by Alisson late on. Remarkably, 10-man Newcastle ended up having more shots than Liverpool but, crucially, the hosts did not take their chances.
This game could have huge consequences in the race for fourth - Liverpool closed the gap to six points and have a game in hand - but Howe will at least take heart from the spirit his side played with after Pope's red card.
Allan Saint-Maximin hits form just at right time
If this was an audition for a starting spot at Wembley, Allan Saint-Maximin as good as passed it. Saint-Maximin was Newcastle's bright spark; when it came to shots (three), touches in the opposition box (six), dribbles (nine) and passes in the final third (20) and winning possession back (two), the Frenchman led the way for his side.
It was rather telling that Saint-Maximin was named man of the match despite being on the losing side and the mercurial forward looked back to something resembling his best after a much-needed run of starts. With Bruno Guimaraes to return from suspension in the Carabao Cup final, and Joe Willock potentially back from injury, Howe now has a huge decision to make for the Carabao Cup final. Will Joelinton be used on the left or will Saint-Maximin be entrusted from the start?
Christian Atsu and Sir Bobby remembered
There was a lot of emotion in the air before a ball was even kicked on Saturday evening. Not only were Newcastle facing Liverpool under the lights - this game also happened to fall on what would have been Sir Bobby Robson's 90th birthday.
Lady Elsie Robson and Sir Bobby's three sons, Andrew, Paul and Mark, were all in attendance and Wor Flags marked the occasion with a special tribute to the Newcastle legend with a stunning display in the East Stand. It only raised the noise levels before the players emerged from the tunnel.
It said it all that a scheduled minute's silence for Christian Atsu turned into a minute's applause as Liverpool fans joined in and sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
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