Newcastle will miss star with 100% duel success rate vs Leeds United
Newcastle fell to an agonisingly late 3-2 defeat at home against Liverpool on Monday Night Football, in a game littered with talking points.
Newcastle had the better of the early chances but Anthony Gordon’s red card on the stroke of half time left Eddie Howe’s side with an uphill battle in the second half.
Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula got Newcastle level but Rio Ngumoha’s late strike broke Tyneside hearts.
The game was taxing mentally on Newcastle’s fans but also incredibly damaging physically for a number of Howe’s side.
Sandro Tonali set for lengthy lay off
The key to Newcastle’s success of late has been built largely off of their solid midfield base, but both Joelinton and Sandro Tonali left the match against Liverpool with injuries.
Tonali will be a particularly big miss, as the Italian midfielder has won 100% of his duels this season, both on the ground and aerially this season according to Fotmob data.
It means that Newcastle face the unenviable task of replacing that tenacity for however long he spends on the sidelines.
Howe spoke to BeIn Sport after the match, and as has been reported in talkSPORT, the Newcastle boss wasn’t optimistic: “It’s difficult for me to give a thorough assessment at the moment, but Joelinton’s doesn’t look good.
“Sandro Tonali’s doesn’t look good either.
“Obviously, Anthony Gordon will now be suspended, and Fabian [Schar] looks concussed.”
Newcastle’s starting eleven is as good as any, but their depth will let them down
Football Insider verdict
From Nick Pope in goal to whoever is playing as a centre forward by the time Alexander Isak’s transfer saga is over, Newcastle have one of the Premier League’s best starting 11’s.
However, when looking at their depth options, there is a clear drop off in the quality of Howe’s bench options.
| Name | From | Fee |
| Anthony Elanga | Nottingham Forest | £53m |
| Jacob Ramsey | Aston Villa | £39m |
| Malick Thiaw | AC Milan | £30m |
| Aaron Ramsdale | Southampton | Loan |
Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw are good options, and Osula proved he’s capable of changing a game from the bench against Liverpool.
But, when looking at how Newcastle can compete across four competitions this season, the lack of quality in Howe’s rotation options will likely hurt the 47-year-old as the season goes on.