LFC Live - 'Ruined' - Mark Goldbridge slams one person for spoiling Newcastle vs Liverpool contest

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Charlie Grace

Mon 25 August 2025 22:42, UK

Liverpool left it late to secure a 3-2 win away at Newcastle United, but one person stole the show for the wrong reasons.

The first half was marred with a litany of fouls, before Ryan Gravenberch gave the visitors the lead on his first start of the season, before a red card for Anthony Gordon on the stroke of halftime handed Liverpool even more of an advantage.

Hugo Ekitike scored a third goal in three games to double Liverpool’s advantage before a Bruno Guimaraes header, followed by a late William Osula goal got Newcastle back on level terms.

The hosts will feel like they deserved a point after fighting doggedly with ten men but it was teenage sensation, Rio Ngumoha, who earned Liverpool all three points scoring at the death to make it 3-2.

However, one person was highlighted for all the wrong reasons for their impact on the game.

The opening stages of the match were littered with small fouls and duels that broke up the play of a match that had promised to be a real spectacle.

Mark Goldbridge took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his frustrations: “The referee is ruining this game.

It’s ruining the spectacle every week,” Goldbridge continued.

Hooper gave two fouls in quick succession in Liverpool’s favour which Sky Sports co-commentator Chris Sutton believed should have been yellow cards.

After an early pair of yellow cards for Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konate (two of nine fouls in the opening 25 minutes by the visitors), Hooper was in the spotlight again as VAR intervened, and told the 43-year-old to send off Gordon for a reckless challenge on Virgil Van Dijk.

Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

Football Insider verdict

Newcastle’s summer transfer window has been less than ideal with multiple missed transfer targets and Isak looking to push for a move away from the club.

The noise surrounding the Swedish international has been less than ideal for Eddie Howe’s preparation for the new season and some have suggested that cutting the 25-year-old loose may serve the club better in the long term.

Having released Callum Wilson in the summer Isak is the only recognised forward at the club with Gordon having to fill in at the number nine position for Howe’s side.

It was reported that the club had a bid for Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen turned down having already had a bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa rejected as well.

If Isak stays Newcastle can make do with one forward but if the Swede is to leave a second would surely have to be brought in with time running out in the window.