HURTING Eddie Howe was left stunned by Newcastle's "hugely painful" last gasp defeat to Liverpool and said his side were made to pay after not scoring a crucial second goal.

Howe was delighted with his side's performance for the most part as Newcastle got themselves in front thanks to the brilliant Anthony Gordon and played against 10 men for more than an hour after Virgil van Dijk was sent off.

The Magpies had 23 shots on goal and numerous clear-cut chances to extend their lead but failed to take them, and 10-man Liverpool hit back late on, with substitute Darwin Nunez scoring an 81st minute equaliser and a winner deep into stoppage time.

Howe said the manner of the defeat was as painful to take as the loss at Anfield last year, when Liverpool scored a 98th minute winner.

"Whenever you lose in those circumstances it's hugely painful," he said.

"I thought we played really well. The opening stages of the game can't be forgotten. I thought we were excellent, individual performances were very good and the sending off almost harms us in the match. The chances were there for us and the second goal changes everything, and we didn't get it.

"You know when Nunez comes on they're looking for one moment, and they didn't get one, they got two."

Liverpool were fortunate to not go down to 10 men after just seven minutes when Trent Alexander-Arnold fouled Gordon just 60 seconds after being booked for throwing the ball away.

"At that moment I thought it was a red card," said Howe.

"I thought it was a clear second yellow card. The referee didn't agree."

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Howe thought misfortune rather than naivety on Newcastle's part led to Liverpool's equaliser, but says his side should have accepted a draw rather than pushing for a win after the visitors had levelled.

He said: "I think the management of the game is just in moments, the ball bounced off Sven (Botman) twice for the first goal, I don't know if we can manage that moment, we can certainly manage the second better.

"The deflection off Sven's back and heel into Nunez's path, it's not something you can plan for. We really at that moment should accept we're not going to win but definitely don't lose it."