Callum Wilson believes Newcastle United 'let Liverpool win' when the two sides met at St James' Park on Saturday evening.
Liverpool are the only side to have beaten the Magpies in the Premier League this season after beating them 2-1 at Anfield and 2-0 most recently.
The Reds have won their last two games in the league and there have been suggestions of them being 'back', but Wilson is sceptical about these claims.
READ MORE: Alisson Becker lashes out as Liverpool send Real Madrid and UEFA clear message
READ MORE: Luka Modric sends classy six-word message to Liverpool fans after Anfield ovation
Liverpool's win on Saturday took them to within six points of Eddie Howe's side and seven points behind Tottenham Hotspur, who currently occupy fourth spot.
Wilson told the BBC's Footballer's Football Podcast: "Liverpool played well on the day and got the result, but overall I think our performance warranted more out of the game. You're trying to say are Liverpool back? They've won two games over the last couple of weeks, and we technically let them win because it was a poor performance from our point of view."
The England international was introduced after an hour and saw a one-on-one effort saved by Alisson Becker. Wilson believes the game would have been different had Newcastle converted their early chances.
"If we score our chances early, it's a different game," Wilson added. "I personally feel that we've beaten teams this season that have performed better than Liverpool did at our place.
"I just felt that we were off it, they were on it, they scored at good times, we went down to 10 men and actually played better. We performed better on the day, but the only statistic that matters is goals."
READ NEXT:
- 'I don't think so' - Alan Shearer makes Stefan Bajcetic point that sums up huge Liverpool problem
- Two Liverpool players slammed in L'Equipe ratings after Real Madrid hammering
- Liverpool analysis - Jurgen Klopp gets it right with defence as change now painfully apparent
- 'You have to ask' - Markus Krosche breaks silence on Liverpool sporting director links
- What defiant Liverpool fans sang as Jurgen Klopp's Real Madrid prediction comes true