Christian Atsu has apologised to his Newcastle United team-mates and the club's fans for losing the ball in the build-up to Sadio Mane's second goal in Liverpool's 3-1 win against the Magpies on Saturday.
Jetro Willems had given the visitors a dream start at Anfield when he lashed home his first goal for the club with his weaker right foot before Mane equalised with his first of the afternoon.
Liverpool's second goal came just five minutes before half time when Atsu was dispossessed after being closed down by Joel Matip and influential substitute Roberto Firmino just inside his own half.
Firmino then looked to feed Mane with a slick through ball which Martin Dubravka slid out to intercept but the Newcastle 'keeper failed to gather and the Senegal superstar was able to collect and fire home.
Mohamed Salah sealed all three points for Liverpool midway through the second half but Atsu has apologised to his team-mates and the fans for losing the ball in the build-up to the champions of Europe's second goal.
“We were in the game – we scored one - then it was unfortunate that I gave the ball away. The second goal was very crucial in this game. I can only apologise to the players and also the fans," he told reporters after the defeat
“They’re a top team. We knew that. Against these teams, when you make a mistake, you’re going to get punished. They scored from our mistakes, and we have to take the positives out of this and focus on the next game.
“In the first 20 minutes, I thought we were very good. We defended really well. We had a go. We knew it was going to be difficult. Like I said, it was very unfortunate that they scored to make it 2-1 from the ball I lost in midfield. Liverpool are very good. When you lose the ball in midfield, they’re going to punish you.”
