EDDIE HOWE claims the improved form of Allan Saint-Maximin was the main positive to emerge from Newcastle United’s 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool.

On an extremely damaging night at St James’ Park, the Magpies saw their 17-game unbeaten Premier League run come to an end as first-half goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo condemned them only their second league defeat of the season.

To make matters worse, the first-half dismissal of Nick Pope means the goalkeeper will be suspended for next weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley.

Howe was left deflated at the final whistle, but the Newcastle boss was nevertheless happy with Saint-Maximin’s performance, both as an attacking left winger and in a more central forward role.

The Frenchman was the Magpies’ most threatening attacker, hitting the crossbar with a shot that was superbly saved by Alisson.

“I thought Maxi started the game really well on the left and gave them problems,” said Howe. “He gave them transitional problems, and then when he moved centrally, into a different role, his influence on the game was still there.

“He formed a really good partnership with Alex (Isak) – I thought they looked really good together with their dribbling ability and their pace.

“We were a constant threat in the game, and I was really pleased with the team and how they responded. It was only really in the latter stages of the game, as we tired, that Liverpool created some chances.”

Howe was disappointed at the defending that resulted in Liverpool’s two first-half goals, with the Magpies being undone by balls beyond their back four.

“Liverpool have that pace and quality, they have the quality to find the runs, but we would back ourselves on another day to have defended those situations a lot better,” said the Newcastle boss.

“We didn’t, and we paid the price for that. We’ll review that and analyse it. Teams with the quality of Liverpool have the ability to unpick you with one moment. Our challenge is to keep our concentration and prevent that, and we didn’t do that well enough.”