Liverpool and Arsenal given warning as Newcastle star declares "best I've played against"

Anthony Gordon claimed Barcelona's style of football was a cut above what they're seeing it the Premier League as the Spanish side laid down an early marker in the Champions League. They secured a 2-1 win at St James' Park with their approach leaving an impression on the Newcastle winger.

Marcus Rashford scored twice for the Catalans as they look to end a decade-long wait for European success. Last season they were narrowly beaten in the semi-finals after dominating domestically and Hansi Flick is bidding to take that next step.

Barcelona, throughout their history, have been a possession-based team and on Thursday midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong dictated the game. The manner in which they retained the ball was something Gordon admits they rarely come up against in England - and if they do it is not at the same level.

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He told BeIN Sports: "I think in ways the way they keep the ball was a learning experience. We don’t play against that kind of style in England, not at that level anyway, I thought they were the best I’ve played against in that sense of the game.

"Some of that play in midfield was really top."

The interviewer then said that he rarely sees a team come to Newcastle and keep the ball for the entirety of injury time as the visitors managed the game perfectly and Gordon replied: "No, neither do I.

"We’ve played against some top teams, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, but the way they pass the ball, the midfielders, the way they were fluid in their movement and combining, made it really hard for us to press, and it’s not easy coming here and doing that.

"We press with intensity, we’re very physical but to be fair to them, they did really well."

Barcelona are among the favourites to win the Champions League and the manner of their performance will have put several sides on alert. Liverpool and Arsenal both began their European campaigns with a win and are seen as England's best hope of winning the competition.

Chelsea are the only Premier League side who will face Barcelona during the league phase. It was Marcus Rashford who scored both goals in the win over Newcastle as he made a successful return to England. Both his strikes coming with Thomas Tuchel in attendance.

Flick said on his loanee: "In the offense we have a lot of good players and he's one. I'm happy to have him. He gives us more options to follow the match. It's great to have him.

"These two goals will help a lot to get Marcus to the next step. It's so important he has the confidence and feels OK. These goals are unbelievable for him for the next steps."

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