Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson couldn’t believe Curtis Jones’ two-goal haul for Liverpool vs Leicester City.
Jones was terrific in Liverpool’s 3-0 win on Monday night, hitting the first two goals of the game late in the first-half. The result pushed the Reds back to within a point of 3rd placed Newcastle as they hunt down a top-four finish.
Clearly, the result was bad news for the Magpies, who have a must-win clash with Brighton tomorrow evening. And speaking on the Footballers Football Podcast as the game on Monday was going on, Wilson betrayed the current feeling amongst the Newcastle squad.
“Ah Liverpool two up, Cal don’t want to hear that right now!” the 31-year-old railed. “Come on. We need them to lose.
“What’s Curtis Jones doing as well? He don’t even score goals! Scoring two. Out of everyone, Curtis Jones banging them.”
Big week ahead in top four race
The heat is really on Newcastle now. Having picked up just a point from their last two games, tomorrow’s match-up with Brighton now has the feeling of a make-or-break tie.
They need two wins from the last three to be certain of playing Champions League football next season. So, lose or draw against Brighton, and they might start to feel things slipping away for them. But with Leicester to come to St. James’ Park at the weekend, a win against the Seagulls would surely see them almost over the line.
Clearly, Liverpool fans will be feeling the same as Wilson was here. Although with Brighton still sneaking up behind the Reds, perhaps a draw may be the best outcome of all.
Either way, the Reds’ remit for the last two games remains the same. Without six more points on the board whatever Newcastle – and indeed Manchester United – do will be irrelevant. Matches against Aston Villa and Southampton aren’t won yet.
An important little detail could be in the timing of the games, though. Wilson’s reaction here obviously shows that Newcastle are letting the pressure affect them a little. If they don’t get the three points tomorrow, Liverpool then have the chance to go ahead of them on Saturday afternoon.
With Newcastle’s game with Leicester not until the Monday night, the pressure will be ramped up even further for them. As we know, pressure can do funny things in football.
For Liverpool, the chasers and the much more experienced side in these situations, it isn’t really there right now. But for Eddie Howe’s boys, how they come through these last three games will say so much about their character. Keep pushing Reds, they’re getting nervous!