LIVERPOOL missed the chance to go five points clear as Newcastle frustrated the Premier League champions.
- Final score: Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool
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That’s all for tonight, as Liverpool failed to end 2020 by extending their lead to five points at the top of the table.
The Reds are just three points clear of second place Manchester United, who have a game in hand on Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Newcastle meanwhile are up to 14th, just points off the top ten and eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Next up for Liverpool is a tricky away fixture at Southampton on Monday, while Newcastle host Leicester on Sunday.
That’s all for now though, as the Premier League signs off for 2020.
Thanks for joining us, and Happy New Year!
MATCH REPORT
Despite the lack of goals, there’s still plenty to talk about from the game.
Most notably the performance of Karl Darlow, who was brilliant in between the posts for Newcastle.
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR MATCH REPORT FROM THE GAME
STAT ATTACK
Here’s a look at the stats from the game.
Liverpool saw nearly three quarters of the ball, but could not turn their possession into goals.
When they did have efforts on target, they were met by firm resistance in the form of Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Darlow pulled off multiple brilliant saves to earn a point for his side.
FULL TIME SCENES
Jurgen Klopp reacts to this evening’s 0-0 draw.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Credit: AFP
JURGEN’S ANALYIS
This is what Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has to say about the game:
“[We] created chances, crazy chances, unbelievably big chances, [but] didn’t use them.
“That’s true, that’s why it’s 0-0.
“But I liked the game, and yes there are different draws in your life and this is one that we are not happy about the result obviously but I’m really fine with the performance because that’s the way we have to play.
“That’s the way we have to create, that’s the way we have to protect, and we did all that and so yeah still of course disappointing but it is how it is.”
CURRENT STANDINGS
Here’s how the table looks like from a Newcastle perspective.
The Magpies now have an eight point cushion between them and the drop zone.
CRACKS APPEARING?
Liverpool end 2020 top of the table, but the Reds have already dropped points this season to four of the current teams in the bottom six.
Newcastle, Brighton, Fulham and West Brom have all taken points from the champions this season.
Manchester United are just three points behind the Reds, with a game in hand.
STEVE SPEAKS
This is what Magpies boss Steve Bruce has to say at full time:
“Yeah I mean look we rode our luck a little bit at times.
“Our goalkeeper has made a few saves where you have to when you’re playing against one of the best teams in the country or in Europe.
“But also their goalkeeper made a couple of great saves, in all I can remember two so, yeah I couldn’t fault them to a man.
“They’ve stuck at it and got a reward.”
DARLOW DISSECTS
Here’s what man of the match Karl Darlow has to say at the full time whistle:
“I think it’s a terrific effort from us, I think we’ve got Man City away then Liverpool at home, and Man City away can blow you away and I thought we stayed in the game and we did brilliantly there.
“And then to come here and grind out a point against the champions is [a] credit to the lads, and the work rate to come off the back of playing two top sides in four days, so it’s a good point for us and we can build on that.”
INCREDIBLE KARL
Another brilliant save from Karl Darlow to deny the Reds.
FULL TIME
A 0-0 draw at St.James’ Park in the last Premier League game of 2020.
It’s also the first goalless draw between the two sides in 74 games played against each other.
FULL TIME: NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool drop points for a second game in a row, failing to break down a resolute Newcastle defence.
When they did get bast the backline, Karl Darlow denied the Reds with a number of brilliant saves.
Steve Bruce will be delighted with the performance of his team.
PEEEP!
THE FULL TIME WHISTLE BLOWS!
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL!
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
94. Callum Wilson wins a throw in by playing the ball of Fabinho, and I think that may well be that.
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
93. Time is ticking away for Liverpool here.
Newcastle are standing firm, and a minute away from a well earned point.
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
92. Liverpool substitution.
Xherdan Shaqiri is coming on for the final two minutes to try and conjure up a winner.
Mo Salah is coming off for him.
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
90. Good keeping from Alisson.
He rushes off his line to punch the corner clear.
There will be four added minutes at the end of the game.
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
90. Newcastle corner.
The ball bounces off Alexander-Arnold for a Newcastle corner.
Will the hosts nick it late on?
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
89. SO CLOSE!
Again Darlow keeps Newcastle in it.
He makes a brilliant low save to deny a Firmino header from the corner.
The ball then doesn’t quite drop to Salah, and Newcastle just about smuggle it away.
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
88. Liverpool corner.
The visitors are piling on the pressure now.
Schar slides in to stop Alexander-Arnold from crossing, but at the expense of a corner.
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
86. Newcastle substitution.
Matt Ritchie is coming off for the Magpies, and Jamal Lewis is on to replace him.
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
85. Newcastle yellow card.
Isaac Hayden is into the bool for a late challenge on Thiago.
That’s his fifth of the season, meaning he will be suspended for the next game.
INCREDIBLE
Here’s a look at Fabian Schar’s last ditch clearance.
CLOSE
Alisson is called into action, saving Ciaran Clark’s header.
NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL
83. Liverpool have the ball in the back of the net, but the whistle has already blown for an offside on Alexander-Arnold in the buildup.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
