GAMBLER Jurgen Klopp came up trumps again as Liverpool Nab-d another crucial win.
Naby Keita scored the only goal but the Reds should have won by more despite resting key players in their Quadruple quest.
Naby Keita smashes in after rounding Martin DubravkaCredit: GettyKeita’s fourth goal of the season takes Liverpool back to the top of the Premier LeagueCredit: EPA
Boss Jurgen Klopp left out Fabinho, Thiago, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Footballer of the Year Mo Salah from his starting 11.
And it was one of his back-up men, Guinea international Keita, who grabbed the first-half goal that ultimately decided the game.
If Sadio Mane had been more ruthless in his finishing and Toon goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had not denied Diogo Jota on multiple occasions, the scoreline would have reflected the Reds’ overall superiority.
But Alisson did not have a difficult save to make in the whole game as Klopp’s side regained top spot in the Premier League.
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Liverpool had three half-chances in the opening 10 minutes but were then kept at bay comfortably by Newcastle until Keita opened the scoring.
The home players and crowd screamed for a foul by James Milner on Fabian Schar.
However, referee Andre Marriner was right on the spot and replays proved he was right to let Liverpool continue their attack.
Keita worked a neat one-two with Jota and then showed great composure to take the ball on, glide past goalkeeper Martin Dubrvaka and jab the ball between the Toon defenders on the line.
The Reds started to find their groove and should have extended their lead on the break. Luis Diaz found Mane but the Senegal striker’s shot was straight into Dubravka’s arms.
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The Newcastle keeper made a good save from a Jota header before half-time to improve his team’s hopes of a comeback – despite having only one effort on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Eddie Howe’s men came out with more intent and ruffled the Reds’ feathers, forcing them into misplaced passes and mistimed tackles.
But Dubravka had to be alert again when Jota ran on to Milner’s lofted pass before Mane missed another great chance, failing even to hit the target from Joe Gomez’s cross.
Howe threw on Chris Wood for Joe Willock and Mane was shown a yellow card for throwing himself in on Dubravka.
Klopp sent on Fabinho and Salah and the Egyptian immediately set Diaz away, only for the Colombian’s deflected shot to be cleared brilliantly by Matt Targett.
Newcastle were clinging on, with Dubravka making another save from Jota, although the Liverpool man should have done better.
The Toon keeper underlined his man-of-the-match status by keeping out a Diaz effort.
Bruno Guimaraes at least drew a save from Alisson in the dying minutes, but another intervention from Targett was required to stop Salah sealing victory.
Liverpool did more than enough to keep their impossible dream alive.
