Cody Gakpo shines as 4/10 flops: Liverpool player ratings vs Newcastle
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(Credit: Getty, Imago)
Edward Bazeley
Mon 25 August 2025 22:12, UK
Liverpool claimed a dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle United to earn their second successive win of the new Premier League season.
The clash at St James’ Park on 25 August took place amid the backdrop that Liverpool remain interested in Newcastle star Alexander Isak, who was once again absent for the North East club.
Arne Slot’s men took the lead through Netherlands international Ryan Gravenberch’s strike from outside the box deflected off Fabian Schar, after the midfielder received Cody Gakpo’s pass.
The game then swung further in the Reds’ favour when Liverpool transfer target Gordon badly mistimed his tackle on Virgil van Dijk.
Hugo Ekitike’s early second-half goal doubled the defending Premier League champions’ lead, with Gakpo once again notching the assist.
However, Newcastle scored via Bruno Guimaraes’ header, despite their numerical disadvantage, before William Osula found a late equaliser.
The game wasn’t done there, though, as substitute Rio Ngumoha scored the winner in the 10th minute of added time.
Slot led Liverpool to a draw on Monday (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
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Alisson Becker – 5
The goalkeeper did not look his usual, composed self when dealing with crosses and conceded two goals.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Amid Jeremie Frimpong’s absence through injury, the midfielder was selected in the previously unfamiliar role of right-back and looked comfortable for the most part.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
The France international should have cleared his lines when Eddie Howe’s side scored their leveller, but instead let the ball bounce off his back and into the path of Osula.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Van Dijk’s most notable contribution of the night came when he was fouled by Gordon, prompting the winger to be sent off.
Milos Kerkez also failed to show his attacking qualities.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7
Gravenberch’s well-struck shot helped Liverpool seize control of the game after they had been under pressure from Newcastle.
However, there were large spells of the match where the Magpies won the midfield battle, which was due to the Dutchman not always being at his best.
Curtis Jones – 5
The England international let a potential opportunity to score pass him by when he failed to meet Salah’s pass.
He also failed to help Slot’s men control the play for the majority of the first half, as well as periods of the second half.
Mohamed Salah – 6
Mohamed Salah was far from his best in the North East, but could have got more than one assist on another night if Jones was on the same wavelength as the Egyptian.
Florian Wirtz – 5
The ex-Bayer Leverkusen ace was not clinical or creative on a night when Gakpo and Ekitike provided the quality for Slot’s men.
Cody Gakpo – 8 (Player of the match)
An outstanding night’s work from the 26-year-old who outshone fellow winger, Salah, deservedly producing two assists.
Hugo Ekitike – 8
The former Eintracht Frankurt man is fast becoming a key player for Liverpool and once again showed his attacking prowess with a goal.
Gakpo shone against Newcastle (Credit: Imago)
Federico Chiesa (for Ekitike, 80) – 5
Federico Chiesa did not utilise a short space of time to make an impact on the game.
Conor Bradley (for Wirtz, 80) – 5
The right-back did little other than receiving a yellow card.
Rio Ngumoha (for Gakpo, 90+6) – 8
A memorable night for the 16-year-old who turned himself into the hero with a late winner.
Harvey Elliott (for Jones, 90+6)
Wataru Endo (for Salah, 90+12)
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