Newcastle owners’ stance on Eddie Howe as Liverpool rout does more damage | Football | Sport

Eddie Howe refrained from strongly criticising his Newcastle players in the Anfield changing room following the 4-1 thrashing by Liverpool. It is understood that Howe chose to show empathy towards his squad after they began the encounter positively and maintained early control, and a 1-0 lead, until a problematic period just before half-time, during which Hugo Ekitike netted twice. The Magpies failed to regain command of the contest in the second period before Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate scored late goals.

As players departed Anfield, there was complete silence within the group, and it is believed the journey back was subdued for the Toon’s players. The hierarchy will avoid any hasty decisions but it is now the club’s Premier League standing that represents the primary worry. Should Newcastle fall short in the cup competitions they face a massive battle to secure European qualification, with Champions League qualification through their Premier League position now drifting away as Liverpool hold a six-point advantage.

Crucially, Howe continues to enjoy the backing of figures such as CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson, with an understanding of United’s PSR constraints acknowledged internally.

Howe will only be assessed on “managing the squad” at his disposal, whilst Wilson and Hopkinson attempt to create recruitment and financial opportunities behind the scenes. The concerning aspect is Newcastle have secured merely nine victories from 24 Premier League games this season, though they have met expectations in all other tournaments.

With Newcastle trailing the top five and 14 fixtures remaining, it won’t escape the attention of owners PIF that the Magpies must still face challenging Premier League away trips to Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur whilst attempting to remain competitive at the crucial stage of the campaign.

It will be Newcastle’s final league standing rather than cup performances that will be assessed by those in charge come season’s end. It appears no Champions League qualification means no celebration regarding PSR, and that represents a worry.

Howe saif after the loss at Liverpool: “I haven’t seen the league table, I am digesting the result. Our league form has not been consistent or strong enough throughout the campaign.

“There is still time left. There are a lot of points to play for. And we have to be positive. We are in the middle of a really tough spell of fixtures, the one thing I am not going to do is turn on my team.

“I am going to support my team. The players are giving everything. There are a lot of players who aren’t fit or available, those are players that would make a huge difference.”

For the time being, Newcastle must pick themselves up and focus on the Etihad Stadium and their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with City. The tie remains unresolved, and whilst pessimism currently hangs in the air, the atmosphere would shift dramatically should Howe secure his third Wembley final.

With the FA Cup fourth-round encounter at Aston Villa approaching later this month and Champions League action looming, including a two-legged play-off against Qarabag, there’s an argument for perspective from Howe’s standpoint.

Newcastle have emerged victorious in four matches, including a penalty shoot-out triumph against Bournemouth, from nine fixtures thus far in 2026, and optimism persists for the moment.