Allan Saint-Maximin’s participation in Newcastle’s Christmas programme is in doubt after he limped off against Liverpool.
Newcastle gained encouragement rather than points from their assignment against title challengers Liverpool with a performance laced with a defiance, something which had been missing from their previous match against Leicester.
But with the transfer window – and potential new recruits that are desperately needed at St James’ Park – frustratingly out of reach for now, Eddie Howe desperately needs his best players available for a Christmas fixture list that also features home games against Manchester City and Manchester United.
Saint-Maximin spearheaded Newcastle’s sporadic attacking efforts at Anfield. He was a thorn in Liverpool’s side although his decision-making was less reliable than it needed to be in a display that showcased why such an exquisite talent remains a work-in-progress.
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“With Maxi, he took a really nasty tackle,” Howe told i.
“I’m not sure whether the injury is related to that tackle or is it’s more muscular. I did try to speak to him as he came off but I didn’t get clarification on what that was.
“Fingers crossed for him as he’s such a big player for us. We don’t want to lose him for any amount of time.
“It’s not the time of year for us to lose players.”
Jamal Lewis, however, will be out for Christmas. “It looks bad, it looks like a hamstring problem,” Howe said.
Whether the Magpies can salvage their season or not will not be defined by games against the top two, who seem so far ahead of their Premier League rivals this season. But Howe needs results and fortune to start dovetailing – and he got neither at Anfield.
The Newcastle manager was left angered by Mike Dean’s decision to play on when Isaac Hayden had collided with Fabian Schar in one of the talking points of the contest.
Newcastle supporters were also quick to point out the referee was also inconveniently placed for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s sumptuous drive, leaving Martin Dubravka unsighted. But it was the earlier incident that angered Howe.
Hayden was left “dazed” for four minutes after the accidental clash of heads and was prone in the penalty area when Diogo Jota converted from close range to extinguish Newcastle’s positive start.
“Well we didn’t do everything right, that’s clear. We certainly didn’t have the luck either – the turning point was an obvious one.
“I can’t understand how Mike [Dean] hasn’t stopped the game. Isaac clearly holds his head immediately, laying in his six yard box with another player. That leads to the goal. It was clear the game should be stopped to me at the time, I couldn’t believe it wasn’t.
“For me, that’s a key moment in the match. We talk a lot about head injuries and that was a clear one.”
For Newcastle, the relief is few of their rivals are winning while they go through a teak tough run of fixtures.
“We had a better mentality that we did against Leicester and I thought we were right in the game,” Howe said.
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