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By LEWIS STEELE Published: 08: 48 AEDT, 5 December 2024 | Updated: 09: 19 AEDT, 5 December 2024 7 View comments Liverpool drew 3-3 against Newcastle at St James' Park on Wednesday night in one of the most dramatic games of the season so far. The Reds had fallen behind following a lacklustre first half display, with Alexander Isak netting a thunderbolt to put the Magpies in front. Arne Slot's side came firing out of the blocks after the break and Curtis Jones equalised straight away, but Anthony Gordon then put the hosts 2-1 up. Mohamed Salah's future continues to be a hot topic and the Egyptian did little to calm the speculation with two classy finishes and it looked as if the Reds were going to pull off a superb comeback victory. But Fabian Schar ensured the spoils were shared when he pounced on a mistake from Caoimhin Kelleher in the 90th minute to cap off a breathtaking encounter. Mail Sport's LEWIS STEELE was at St James' Park and has rated both sets of players below. ..   Newcastle drew 3-3 against Liverpool in a pulsating encounter after Fabian Schar's late equaliser  Liverpool thought they had pulled off a superb comeback before they conceded at the death It ensured the points were shared in one of the most dramatic games of the season so far NEWCASTLE (4-3-3) Nick Pope - 7 (Booked) Had little to do in the first half apart from getting down well to save some long shots from Mac Allister. Great save to deny Jones a second from close range at 2-1. Tino Livramento - 6. 5 Caught in possession a few times early on but settled soon after and kept a handle on Gakpo. Fabian Schar - 7. 5 Made some vital interceptions early on as Liverpool had several efforts from the edge of the penalty area. Beautiful finish for 3-3. Dan Burn - 7 Relished his battle with target man Nunez and came out on top. Lewis Hall - 7. 5 Barely put a foot wrong against Salah, standing his ground and being patient. Attacked well on the overlap, too. Lewis Hall barely put a foot wrong against Salah, as he stood his ground and was patient Schar made some vital interceptions as Liverpool attacked and his finish was top quality Bruno Guimaraes caused problems for Liverpool's midfield throughout the clash on Wednesday Sandro Tonali - 7 (Booked) Showed quick feet to make some chances and put in a good shift with several defensive blocks – but lost his man Jones for the goal. Bruno Guimarães - 7. 5 Silky footwork to skip away from Mac Allister and then feed Isak for his goal. Beautiful free-kick for Schar’s goal for 3-3. Joelinton - 7 Caused the usually-imperious Liverpool midfield a mountain of problems in the first half and broke up play well. Jacob Murphy - 7 A livewire on the right wing for Newcastle and was so unlucky not to score when his well-hit, drilled effort hit the post. Glorious chance for 3-2 when sent through by Gordon. Alexander Isak - 8 A rasping finish will be a goal of the month contender, leaving Kelleher with little to no chance. Excellent link-up play with the Swede constantly creating chances, including Gordon’s goal. Anthony Gordon - 8. 5  Brilliant performance and was at the heart of everything good for Newcastle, giving Quansah a tough time on that flank. Missed a one-versus-one at 1-0 that, at the time, had the feeling of a moment that would come back to haunt Newcastle. Anthony Gordon was simply brilliant and was at the heart of everything good for Newcastle Alexander Isak netted a stunning opener with a strike that was clocked at a speed of 70mph The Swedish forward was in inspired form throughout the night and set up Gordon's goal Substitutes Harvey Barnes (for Murphy, 74min) - 6 Sean Longstaff (for Tonali, 87) Callum Wilson (for Gordon, 87) Joe Willock (for Joelinton, 87) Not used: Dubravka, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Kelly. Manager Eddie Howe - 7 His tactics were solid and would have won this game on any other day. Were his substitutions too late? Eddie Howe will be pleased with the point but will question if he left his substitutions too late LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1) Caoimhin Kelleher - 7 Could do nothing to thwart Isak for his opener but the scores would have been much higher if not for Ireland’s No 1, with several big stops. Completely lost the ball in the air for Schar’s late equaliser. Jarell Quansah - 5 (Booked) First league start since the season opener at Ipswich and had an almighty test against Gordon. Booked after a heavy touch got away from him. Joe Gomez - 5 Nearly cost his team a second goal after a lapse in concentration saw him give the ball away to Gordon at 1-0. Made some good interceptions otherwise but shaky overall. Virgil van Dijk - 6 Most of Newcastle’s threat came down the other side so Van Dijk was hardly to blame but not as commanding against Isak as he was versus Erling Haaland on Sunday. Andy Robertson - 6 Murphy had a bit of joy against Robertson who was not fully fit at the start of the season but will now be asked to go to the well twice a week until Christmas with Kostas Tsimikas’s injury. Caoimhin Kelleher was at fault for Newcastle's late goal, but made several important stops Jarell Quansah made just his second start of the season for the Reds and lined up at right back Ryan Gravenberch - 6 (Booked) Booked for a tug on Joelinton in the first half. Not the finest evening for the Dutchman who has been so imperious this season. Alexis Mac Allister - 6. 5 (Booked) Will miss the Merseyside Derby on Saturday after a fifth yellow card of the season here – though it was incredibly soft. Had some good shots but was bypassed too easily off the ball. Mohamed Salah - 9 MOTM Just give him the player of the season award now. A quiet first half but then an assist and two goals after the break to almost win another game for Liverpool. Curtis Jones - 7 Never stopped running off the ball and his finish was one to remember, taking the shot on first time. Cody Gakpo - 5 Largely ineffective on the left flank but had some notable moments, including a header that should have made it 2-0 but Nunez missed the tap-in by inches. Darwin Nunez - 4. 5 (Booked) An evening plagued by heavy touches and poor finishing. Needs to contribute more if he is to keep his spot in the team when other attackers are back fit. Mohamed Salah had a quiet first half, but he was absolutely stunning in the second period It looked as if his two goals had won the game for Liverpool and he is their player of the season  Curtis Jones put in another impressive display and linked up well with Salah for his goal Substitutes Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Gomez, 66min) - 6 (Booked) Dominik Szoboszlai (for Gravenberch, 66) - 6 Luis Diaz (for Gakpo, 66) - 6 Not used: Jaros, Endo, Elliott, Nallo, Morton, Nyoni. Manager Arne Slot - 7 Press box at St James’ Park is right behind the dugouts which gave a perfect vantage point for watching Slot grow in frustration at the referee. Referee Andy Madley - 5 Loved dishing out the yellow cards at will. Waved away penalty shouts for both teams. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group