On Wednesday night at St James’ Park, Newcastle United fans finally saw the midfield partnership they had long anticipated: Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes performing together at their peak. Their display in the first half of the 3-3 draw with Liverpool was a clear sign of their potential, harking back to Tonali’s debut against Aston Villa when the pair first showed glimpses of what they could do together. Despite Eddie Howe’s previous attempts to integrate them into the same midfield, including a variety of tactical adjustments, it wasn’t until Liverpool’s visit that the duo truly clicked.
Tonali’s 10-month gambling-related ban had disrupted their connection, and although he had been available for most of this season, he hadn’t yet shown his best form. His previous standout performance was likely in the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea, where he played a key role as the midfield anchor while Bruno was rested. However, with Tonali being dropped for Premier League victories over Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, it seemed like Howe had paused any plans to build a midfield partnership between the two.
Guimaraes, now firmly established as Newcastle’s captain, had been the midfield constant, and the team’s performances without him underscored just how important he is to the side. Tonali, who was brought in for £55m from AC Milan to ease the burden on Bruno, had yet to find a way to complement the Brazilian effectively.
In a bold move, Howe decided to field Tonali as the central figure in a midfield three against Liverpool, with Bruno on the right and Joelinton to the left. The tactical gamble paid off handsomely. Although Newcastle and Tonali began to tire in the second half, by then they had done enough to be comfortably ahead, and against most opponents, the three points would have been secured.
In the opening 45 minutes, Tonali was everything Newcastle fans had hoped for: energetic, tough in the tackle, creative, and tactically astute. He dominated Liverpool’s midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones, and even had a chance to score early on. His ability to disrupt Liverpool’s play allowed Newcastle to gain the upper hand, and he looked every bit the £55m player.
Despite Tonali’s impressive performance, Bruno remained central to Newcastle’s attacking play. Freed from the defensive duties of holding the midfield together, the Brazilian was able to roam more freely, creating chances and dictating the tempo of the game. The balance between the two midfielders was finally struck, with Tonali providing the steel and Bruno adding the flair.
