Darwin Nunez joy but Liverpool have days to solve transfer problem that could blow up at any time

If this was the litmus test to discover exactly where this new-look Liverpool team currently stands in its development, then there are probably still more questions than answers for Jurgen Klopp.

But one thing this 'Liverpool Reloaded' - to coin a fresh phrase from the manager - has in the same way the 2019-2022 vintage had is character in abundance. Certainly on this evidence, anyway.

Darwin Nunez soaked up the adulation from those perched up in the away end at full time after a remarkable second-half cameo that saw him smash two past Nick Pope late on to give a Liverpool side, who had played over two thirds with a man less, what could yet be a massive victory in the grand scheme of it all.

If the £64m Nunez has had to wait for his opportunity so far, he unquestionably wrestled it into his possession here with a couple of expert finishes that stole the points for a team who, at times, had started to look like yesterday's men, even with their influx of fresh blood.

LFC RATINGS: Darwin Nunez just perfect but four others excellent

AS IT HAPPENED: Newcastle United vs Liverpool goals and analysis

Nunez's match-winning intervention now makes Liverpool's start of seven points from three games that include trips to Chelsea and Newcastle as an excellent one and it was a finish virtually no-one saw coming after the 10 men were made to dig in, chip away and graft like their lives depended on it at times.

The smash-and-grab nature of this victory might only paper over some of the cracks for now and while there are still some serious concerns to be addressed by those in the corridors of power - more on those later - the prevailing image of Sunday afternoon in the North East should be Nunez accepting the full acclaim of the