Klopp hails Liverpool’s ‘once in a lifetime’ comeback win against Newcastle

NEWCASTLE: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has described his team’s 10-man, 2-1 win against Newcastle United on Sunday as a “once in a lifetime” performance.

Magpies winger Anthony Gordon had given the home side an early lead before Virgil van Dijk was shown a red card minutes later for a foul on Alexander Isak.

But with their backs against the wall, the Merseyside outfit clawed their way back into the encounter in the closing stages, as substitute Darwin Nunez first equalized, then completed the comeback with a fine stoppage time finish to leave St. James’ Park stunned. Klopp said he was, too.

“In my 1,000 games I’ve managed, I’ve never had a game like this, that’s the truth,” the German said.

“Not that we haven’t overturned games, but down to 10 men, in an atmosphere like this, against an opponent like this, I can’t remember. I’m pretty sure it never happened.

“These moments are rare and so it was special. The boys deserved it today. With 10 men we played better and gave Newcastle a game.”

The Magpies’ head coach Eddie Howe’s decision to remove star men Sandro Tonali and Gordon with Newcastle a goal up has been questioned by supporters. And he said he would do things differently, given his time again.

“That’s as painful a game as I’ve had here for me and for us. I thought we played really well. The opening stages of the game can’t be forgotten by me,” he said.

“The sending off almost harms us really in the match, although the chances were there for us to kill the game. The second goal changes everything and we didn’t get it. Nunez comes on and they’re looking for one moment and they don’t just get one they get two.

“We tried to change the momentum of the match. Liverpool had a flurry of set plays and there was