Liverpool came into tonight’s game looking to keep their good run of form going after narrow wins against Wolves and Aston Villa while Newcastle were looking to earn what would be only their second win of the Premier League season.
Liverpool had the better start to the game and put Newcastle under pressure with some threatening play in and around the Newcastle box. The first real chance falling the way of Diogo Jota who received a pass into the box but his near post shot was dealt with by the Newcastle goalkeeper.
Despite the early pressure from Liverpool it was Newcastle who made the break-through after a good counter attack was poorly cleared by Thiago Alcantara and former Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey curled a shot past Alisson and into the bottom corner from outside of the box.
Liverpool brought themselves back into the game courtesy of Diogo Jota who this time was on the mark with his rebounded strike. A great cross from Sadio Mane found Jota at the back post whos initial effort was saved but the goalkeeper had no chance of stopping his follow up shot.
Mo Salah put Liverpool in front in the 25th minute with another rebound goal. Sadio Mane was tackled on the edge of the box but managed to stay on his feet and fire a shot on goal which was saved by the goalkeeper but straight into the path of Premier League top scorer Mo Salah who made no mistake in casually putting the ball into an open goal.
Liverpool kept up the pressure on Newcastle and looked controlled on the ball but weren’t able to break down the Newcastle defence.
Trent Alexander-Arnold put any doubt to rest with a bullet of a strike with 4 minutes of normal time left to be played. Trent gathered the ball well outside the box and cannoned a wonder strike into the near top corner with the goalkeeper only being able to get fingertips to the ball which only pushed the ball further into the top corner of his goal.
Overall Liverpool put in a strong performance to keep the difference between themselves and Manchester City in the table to just one point.
With Liverpool’s next league game coming against covid struck Tottenham Hotspur the reds will look to keep their good run going and keep the pressure on Manchester City.
Thomas McCaffrey
@tomwmcc
