Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe did not hide his admiration for one Liverpool player after his side suffered a narrow but emotionally draining defeat at Anfield today. While the Magpies gave everything on the pitch, Howe admitted in his post-match reflections that one Red in particular changed the entire game.
According to Howe, Liverpool’s victory did not come from luck, refereeing decisions, or even overall possession — it came from the influence of one man.
“We prepared for Liverpool as a team,” Howe said. “But there was one player who completely disrupted our plan. He was their secret weapon.”
That player was Alexis Mac Allister.
The Argentine midfielder was everywhere — breaking up Newcastle attacks, slowing the tempo when Liverpool needed control, and then suddenly accelerating the game with sharp, forward-thinking passes. While goals and assists grab the headlines, Howe was quick to point out that Mac Allister’s real value lay in the spaces he controlled and the decisions he made.
“You don’t always notice him on the highlights,” Howe explained, “but you feel him when you’re playing against him. He reads the game faster than almost anyone. Every time we tried to build momentum, he was there to stop it.”
Newcastle had moments where they looked ready to take control, but each time, Liverpool regained their structure — and at the heart of it was Mac Allister. His ability to sit deep, win possession, and then instantly turn defence into attack gave Liverpool a rhythm that Newcastle simply couldn’t break.
Howe admitted that his side had planned for Liverpool’s forwards, but Mac Allister’s influence caught them off guard.
“We spoke a lot about their wide players and their striker, but Mac Allister kept slipping into areas that hurt us. He was the link between everything they did.”
By the final whistle, Newcastle were left chasing shadows, and Howe knew exactly why.
“He was the difference. Without him, the game might have gone a different way. That’s how important he was today.”
For Liverpool fans, it was another reminder that while stars may shine up front, championships are often built in midfield — and on this day, Alexis Mac Allister was the quiet force that decided the match.
And as Eddie Howe walked away from Anfield, there was no bitterness — only respect for the player who, in his own words, became Liverpool’s secret weapon
