Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali cut a frustrated figure in the centre of the park last night after the Magpies failed to make the most of their limited possession in the defeat at Anfield.

The Italy star flung his arms in the air after several passes went astray and he was far from happy after an Anthony Gordon foul throw sparked merriment from the home sections. In all, Tonali managed 34 passes as Newcastle struggled to find a way past the Red wall before the ex-AC Milan star's number came up on 68 minutes.

In one first half moment Tonali slipped in Jacob Murphy down the right but he lashed a ball high over the bar to hand Liverpool possession back on a plate.

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Unfortunately, this was another no show at one of the big clubs and quite like Manchester City two weeks ago, Newcastle almost paid Liverpool too much respect. Only Tino Livramento attempted a strong challenge in the early stages when he steamed into a tackle on Kostas Tsimikas with his efforts roared on by the away fans.

And with just 11 minutes on the famous Anfield scoreboard, Newcastle were a goal down following a soft goal after Luis Diaz was given the freedom of the left flank to trickle the ball across to Dominik Szoboszlai who beat Nick Pope with a tame shot. That was enough to push Blyth lad Dan Burn over the edge as he turned the air blue over the shoddy attempts to stop both the cross and the shot.

Burn, like Tonali, looked seething as he walked through the mixed zone following a limp display against the Premier League champions to be. After Bruno Guimaraes was taken off, after a disappointing night, he acknowledged the fans in almost apologetic manner.

Newcastle have worked so hard to stay in all three competitions going into March, they can't allow things to slip now.

Kieran Trippier tries to keep things together

The experienced right-back was the first to order the players over to the away end straight after the final whistle at Anfield.

Having came on as a second half substitute, Trippier knows that this defeat should not be deemed the end of the world. The Premier League table is wide open and Newcastle remain in the Champions League race in a tight pack.

With the FA Cup clash coming up on Sunday against Brighton & Hove Albion, this is not the time to let heads drop and of course there is the small matter of the Carabao Cup final on the horizon against the Reds. An apologetic Trippier performed a captain's job at the end and Howe could be ready to turn to him again this weekend to get things back on track. He remains one of the true leaders in the camp.

No shots on target

The biggest issue for Newcastle had to be that they didn't trouble the Reds at Anfield.

No shots on target said it all really and Howe was quick to acknowledge that issue after the game. Despite the questionable defending in parts, Howe was asked about the lack of threat in the final third.

He said: "It's not good, I can't sit there and say we planned that. We had opportunities, obviously you're not going to get an abundance of chances here so when you do you have to take them and we didn't do that tonight."

Newcastle were, of course, without star striker Alexander Isak through injury. Howe attempted to mitigate that by playing Anthony Gordon more central alongside Callum Wilson in a 4-4-2 formation but with limited joy.