Liverpool surged to the summit of the Premier League standings temporarily after defeating Newcastle United at St. James Park in Saturday’s early fixture.
The Reds went in front in the 19th minute through midfielder Naby Keita. The Guinean latched on to a precise pass from Diogo Jota into the box and released a low effort which ended up in the back of the net.
The Magpies thought they had equalized through Miguel Almiron but the goal was disallowed due to offside. The Reds went into the break with the slender lead.
The second half saw Jurgen Klopp’s men squandered some few decent chances to extend their lead, though it had little bearing as Liverpool held on for all three points which has seen them leapfrog rivals Manchester City to top spot, pending when the Cityzens play Leeds United.
Also, the win will serve as the perfect morale booster as Liverpool travel away to take on Spanish La Liga side Villarreal in their UEFA Champions League second semi-final clash next week.
FULL-TIME AT ST. JAMES PARK: Newcastle United 0-1 Liverpool
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT ST. JAMES PARK: Newcastle United 0-1 Liverpool
HALF-TIME AT ST. JAMES PARK: Newcastle United 0-1 Liverpool
19′ MIN: Naby Keita has acres of space after latching on to a precise pass into the box. He doesn’t hesitate to release a low effort which ends up in the middle of the net.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Newcastle United 0-1 Liverpool (N. Keita)
KICK-OFF AT ST. JAMES PARK: Newcastle United 0-0 Liverpool
Meanwhile, Portuguese international Diogo Jota is set to make his 50th appearance for the Reds. Thumbs Up!!!
As for the visitors, manager Jurgen Klopp has left out talismanic attacker Mohamed Salah and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold on the substitutes bench. The pair are among five players who drop out of the Reds starting XI from their UEFA Champions League victory over Villarreal in midweek.
Also making way are Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Ibrahima Konate, with James Milner, Naby Keita, Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota and Joel Matip taking their places.
There are three changes for Newcastle from the side that beat Norwich City 3-0 last time out. First-team regulars Fabian Schar, Jonjo Shelvey and Miguel Almirón, who were all rested off the back of a three-game week, come back into the starting XI while Sean Longstaff, Jamaal Lascelles and Jacob Murphy drop to the bench.
Striker Chris Wood also has to content himself with a substitute’s role once again, with manager Eddie Howe presumably tasking one of Joelinton or Allan Saint-Maximin with leading the line against the Reds.
Apex Football News 