'Pantomime villain' - Anthony Gordon leaves Liverpool fans raging after incident

Liverpool faced Newcastle at Anfield on Saturday, with both teams looking to break into the top four of the Premier League standings

Anthony Gordon scored on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)

Former Everton star Anthony Gordon left Liverpool fans fuming on Saturday following a late challenge on Reds goalkeeper Alisson.

The Reds faced Newcastle at Anfield with plenty at stake. Liverpool slipped to sixth in the Premier League table, two points behind Manchester United in fourth, ahead of Saturday's contest after going more than a month without a win in the competition.

Arne Slot's players would've liked to have made a quick start at Anfield, but they struggled early on against Newcastle. The Magpies were the better team during the opening 30 minutes, with Newcastle winger Gordon causing Liverpool's defence plenty of problems.

Gordon made his presence known early in the game. Liverpool fans were furious when he closed Alisson down while the goalkeeper played the ball out to Virgil van Dijk; he ended up clattering into the Brazilian stopper, earning a yellow card.

"Anthony Gordon was a little bit late, and he just caught Alisson," said TNT Sports commentator Lucy Ward, as boos rang around Anfield. "He is the pantomime villain in here."

Liverpool fans on social media were furious. "Gordon could easily have been sent off by now," wrote one fan on X, while another added: "Wouldn't be surprised if Gordon gets a red card tonight. Awful challenge on Alisson."

Gordon then further enraged Liverpool fans by opening the scoring at Anfield. The winger produced an excellent low strike in the 36th minute to silence the Kop.

"That was a terrific finish from Anthony Gordon," said Ward. "It has shown what Newcastle are all about tonight at Anfield. Gordon didn't allow Alisson to get set."

At that moment in time, everyone expected Newcastle to go into half-time with a lead. But Liverpool had other ideas.

Hugo Ekitike got on the end of Florian Wirtz's ball to make it 1-1 within five minutes of Gordon's opener.

Ekitike gave Liverpool the lead just moments later. Milos Kerkez played a long ball down the left channel for the Frenchman to run onto. The latter then produced an excellent finish with the outside of his right foot to turn the game on its head.

"Wow," said Ward after Ekitike's second goal. "What an atmosphere in here. Hugo Ekitike, again. He has got some magic dust. A terrific finish."

Ward continued: "Liverpool have threatened. That was absolutely fabulous for the first goal.

"Initially from Florian Wirtz, who showed a little sparkle during this game. Hugo Ekitike was the one who started the move off.

"Soon as it arrived at Wirtz, he knows exactly where Hugo Ekitike is. Brilliant play from both of them."