Newcastle United’s enthralling 3-3 draw with Liverpool wasn't without its controversial moments with both sets of staff feeling aggrieved come the full time whistle. For Newcastle, both Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak could have won penalties either side of half time, while referee Andy Madley’s decision to blow the whistle as the hosts launched one last attack drew fierce boos at the full time whistle.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Arne Slot felt his team were receiving yellow cards ‘every time’ they touched a Newcastle player - and there were huge penalty appeals of their own late in the second half as Dan Burn charged down an Alexis Mac Allister shot inside the box. The block struck the Toon defender but the short distance of travel and the fact his arms were in a natural position saw no penalty awarded - neither by Madley or VAR.

That didn’t stop Liverpool’s staff, including Slot, remonstrating on the sidelines. The away collective ranted and raved to the fourth official, as Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall watched on. It was at this point the Magpies’ No 2 interjected, repeatedly telling the opposition bench to ‘shut up, shut up’.

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Tindall's involvement in these types of touchline spats is nothing new but in truth, it was a surprise the game didn’t boil over in a similar fashion to some previous encounters of the same nature at St James' Park. It was a physical, breathless and exhausting game that was full of flashpoints but no real, major kick offs.

Speaking at full-time, Liverpool boss Slot was quizzed about his clear discontent with some decisions that went against his team, responding: “I think it was an intense game and all the decisions made by the players, other coaching staff and by the referee, they can have a big impact. So all these small details can have a big impact.

"So you always try to influence where you can or sometimes that you have a bit of frustration. But in general, I didn't feel really we crossed the line. There were moments in the game where we felt we could have got a free kick, there were moments in the game where the Newcastle bench probably thought they could have had a free-kick.

"I think it's always like this and and it happens mostly in an intense game where there are so many turnarounds that the emotions get not only with the fans but sometimes with us as well."

As for Howe, he believes Newcastle should have been awarded a spot kick when Jarell Quansah fouled Isak in the penalty area midway through the second period. Meanwhile, the St James’ Park chief expressed surprise that extra minutes of stoppage time were not added on after VAR checks late in the game.

As for the result, it means Newcastle have picked up eight points from their last five top flight outings. Meanwhile, league leaders Liverpool have had their gap at the top cut to seven points after wins for Chelsea and Arsenal.