Fans hail ‘immense’ Martin Dubravka for ‘brilliant’ performance

Although Newcastle United suffered a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Thursday evening, a number of players put in good performances which earned them praise from supporters. Martin Dubravka was one of them, having made a series of saves and blocks to keep the score down at Anfield.

Newcastle missed the 32-year-old when he was sidelined with a foot injury earlier in the season but has been back since late-November and is being hailed by fans on social media for showing his quality between the sticks – Liverpool had 23 shots and forced Dubravka into making six saves on the night.

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Dubravka has been outstanding tonight.#NUFC
— ????? ?? ??? ???? #NUFC (@ToonMouthTyne) December 16, 2021

Dubravka was immense. Like a 1970s keeper plucking the ball out the air. 3 keepers wouldn't have saved the 3rd goal.
— Andrew Thompson (@AndrewT43624021) December 16, 2021

Fraser was our best player tonight in my opinion. Gave us something extra going forwards, and helped Ritchie handle Salah. He suits the quick counter attacking football we will need against Man United and Man City. Dubravka, Shelvey and Joelinton also played well.
— Macca (@MaccaNUFC) December 16, 2021

Shelvey and Joelinton have been absolutely fantastic again. Fraser has looked positive and had great spells. Dubravka has made some brilliant saves. The rest are infuriating me. #nufc
— beth (@bethnufc3) December 16, 2021

You know you’re relegated when you start praising the manner of a loss. We were solid tonight. Fraser strong. Dubravka excellent. But beaten through individual errors and a TAA rocket.
— Jonny Smith (@howaythen) December 16, 2021

Encouraging performance tonight. Was expecting a battering but the lads defended well for large chunks of the game. Sad to see decisions still going against us, and individual mistakes undoing our hard work. Thought Dubravka was excellent and a decent performance from Joelinton
— Franko (@_FuntimeFranko) December 16, 2021

Might consider going for a front 3 all on pace – Fraser, ASM and Murphy/Almiron. Thought Murphy was excellent again. Dubravka was great too. The ref and we gifted them goals. We could have won a point.
— Smartphone Wars (@SmartphoneWars_) December 17, 2021

The Slovakian international has made five Premier League appearances this season, conceding 10 goal and keeping one clean sheet. He’s saved 64% of the 25 shots on target faced and is operating below his expected goals, so it’s easy to see why Newcastle were desperate to have him fit.

Dubravka is sure to start against Manchester City on Sunday and might be a busy goalkeeper given the Sky Blues put seven goals past Leeds in their last Premier League outing.

In other news, fans on social media praise ‘brilliant’ Ryan Fraser for ‘fantastic’ performance