LIVERPOOL narrowed Manchester City’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just one point after beating Newcastle 3-1 at Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold capped the victory with an absolute thunderbolt as the Reds picked up their eighth successive win.
Liverpool were without Fabinho, Curtis Jones AND Virgil van Dijk tonight after the players posted positive Covid tests.
Elsewhere tonight, Chelsea dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Everton which sees the Blues now four points off Man City.
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Jurgen Klopp reacts
“We used more Bournemouth than Newcastle to analyse last time Eddie was here!”
“His [Alexander Arnold] shooting technique is out of this world!”
Eddie Howe reacts
“I was really pleased with the lads commitment to the game today.”
“I was really disappointed with Liverpool’s first goal, two players were down with a head injury.”
“Disappointing because in the second half our shape was better, we were moving the ball up the pitch.”
Liverpool make history
The Reds are the first team in English history to reach 2000 top-flight victories.
Tonight’s result is also Jurgen Klopp’s 150th win with Liverpool.
Trent Alexander Arnold reacts
“Three points at this point in the season is vitally important.”
“He’s [Salah] the best player in the world at the moment, he is scoring and creating… he is not taking his foot off the pedal.”
“We need to make sure we are consistent, we need to make sure we are winning.”
FULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 3-1 NEWCASTLE
Goals from Jota, Salah and Alexander Arnold see Liverpool claim all three points on offer.
The Reds now move within one point of league leaders Manchester City.
Newcastle remain in 19th on 10 points.
90. Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle
A few substitutions have been made.
James Milner replaces Thiago for Liverpool.
Joe Willock replaces Fraser for Newcastle.
Four minutes to be added on…
88. Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle
Take a bow Trent Alexander Arnold!
The right back received the ball on the edge of the penalty area before sending a rocket of a strike straight into the top corner.
A goal of the month contender for sure!
87. GOALLLLL LIVERPOOL
WHAT A HIT FROM ALEXANDER ARNOLD!
81. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Jota comes close increasing the lead, but Lascelles blocks the shot in front of Dubravka.
Newcastle have somehow kept Jurgen Klopp’s side at bay this half.
78. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Liverpool are completely dominating now, Newcastle have barely left their own half in the last 10 minutes.
To make matters worse for Eddie Howe, Saint-Maximin is forced off with an injury.
Callum Wilson is on to replace him.
75. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Saint-Maximin is desperately telling the Newcastle dugout that he needs to come off.
Callum Wilson is ready and waiting.
73. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Liverpool make a double substitution.
Roberto Firmino replaces Salah.
Naby Keita replaces Oxlade-Chamberlain
70. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Newcastle come close to equalising after Fraser wins a free kick on the edge of the area.
Shelvey steps up to take it and curls his effort just wide of the post.
Henderson is booked for the original challenge.
64. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Fraser appeals for a penalty following a fantastic challenge from Alexander-Arnold.
Replays show that the right back won the ball in superb style to prevent a dangerous Newcastle attack.
Meanwhile, Saint-Maximin appears to have gone down injured.
It looks like Callum Wilson might make an appearance in the next few minutes.
55. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Ryan Fraser is booked for a cynical foul on Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Newcastle are struggling to contain the Liverpool attack.
54. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Newcastle look like they have changed their formation to 4-5-1 with Joelinton dropping back into the midfield.
Saint-Maximin is up front on his own.
48. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Liverpool appeal for a penalty after Oxlade-Chamberlain goes down in the box.
Lascelles is the man who made the challenge, but Mike Dean says play on.
KICK OFF: LIVERPOOL 2-1 NEWCASTLE
The home side get us underway for the second half.
Both sides look to be coming out all guns blazing, we’re in for a treat!
HALF TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-1 NEWCASTLE
Goals from Jota and Salah have seen Liverpool bounce back from a poor start.
As things currently stand, the home side are now just one point behind league leaders Manchester City.
Newcastle are still very much in the game though, and have had some promising attacks which have challenged the Liverpool defence.
HALF TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-1 NEWCASTLE
35. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Oxlade-Chamberlain sends a beautiful pass over to Salah who carries the ball into the box.
He pushes the ball onto his right foot before firing wide.
FPL managers all over the country thought they were guaranteed a few extra points for a moment, but not on this occasion.
28. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Mane capitalises on a poor back pass from Shelvey, he steals the ball before having a shot at Dubravka.
The effort is saved but falls straight to the path of Salah who slots the ball into the goal with ease.
2-1 to Liverpool!
26. GOALLLLL LIVERPOOL TAKE THE LEAD
Salah puts the Reds in front following a mistake from Shelvey.
That Newcastle lead didn’t last long…
22. Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle
Eddie Howe and Newcastle are NOT happy
A slightly controversial one here as Hayden was caught in a collision leading up to the goal.
The midfielder went down holding his head, but Mike Dean waved to play on.
Konate swings the ball into Jota who eventually claims the goal.
21. GOALLLLLLL LIVERPOOL EQUALISE
Jota’s header is saved by Dubravka but the winger gets the rebound and slots the ball into the back of the net.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
