Sources: Jamie Reuben’s deleted message exposes Newcastle ‘brain’ fault
The electric atmosphere at St. James’ Park on Monday night was both a blessing and a curse for Newcastle United.
From the very first whistle, the energy was immense, fueled by weeks of tension surrounding the future of Alexander Isak and a burning desire to make a statement against the Premier League champions, Liverpool.
This was the kind of passionate, roaring environment that has become the team’s trademark, a force they have learned to harness under manager Eddie Howe. Their motto, “Intensity is our identity,” was on full display.
Yet, on this particular evening, that very strength their fiery, all-in approach proved to be their biggest weakness, ultimately contributing to a painful 3-2 defeat decided in the final moments.
The build-up to the match was unlike any other. With the Isak transfer saga creating a palpable sense of unrest, everyone connected to the club was on edge.
This emotion translated directly into the stands, where the crowd produced a noise level comparable to the famous Champions League night against Paris St-Germain.
The message from the top was clear and unified. Before the match, co-owner Jamie Reuben amplified this sentiment by sharing a simple, powerful message on social media: “INTO THEM.” This phrase was also displayed on a large banner in the East Stand, leaving no doubt about the kind of aggressive, front-foot performance the ownership and leadership expected.
For the first part of the game, the plan worked perfectly. The players flew into challenges, pressed Liverpool high up the pitch, and used the crowd’s energy to pin the visitors back.
However, the fine line between controlled aggression and lost discipline began to blur after Liverpool scored against the run of play. The goal changed everything. The initial focused intensity slowly started to turn into frustration.
The players began to look flustered, and their shape started to come apart. Liverpool, savvy and experienced, began to find pockets of space and looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
It was in this heated state that Newcastle’s composure completely unraveled. A wild challenge from Dan Burn earned him a yellow card, and just seconds later, Anthony Gordon launched into a reckless tackle on Virgil van Dijk.
After a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the initial yellow card was upgraded to a straight red, leaving Newcastle to play the rest of the match with only ten men. The “into them” mentality, which had started as a rallying cry, had now crossed over into a lack of control.
Pundit Jamie Carragher noted on commentary that he was not surprised a Newcastle player was sent off. He pointed to the banners, the social media posts from ownership, and the general mood around the club, suggesting that sometimes you need to “play with your brain” as well as your heart.
This comment seemed to hit the nail on the head. The deleted social media post from Jamie Reuben seemed to acknowledge that the message, while well-intentioned, may have contributed to an atmosphere where emotion overruled.
The second half was a testament to the team’s incredible heart. With ten men, they showed a different kind of strength one built on resilience, organization, and a more controlled passion.
They battled back to level the score and nearly pulled off a miraculous win. But the damage was already done. The cost of that lost discipline is now being counted, as Anthony Gordon’s suspension leaves a significant hole in the attack.
This match will serve as a tough lesson for everyone at Newcastle United: while passion is your greatest asset, it must always be guided by a cool head and smart decision-making, especially on the biggest stages.