Liverpool vs Newcastle LIVE: Result and reaction as the Reds extend their lead at the top of the Premier League
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle: Arne Slot’s side got over the line in comfortable fashion to extend their lead at the top once again
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 13 points as they breezed past Newcastle United 2-0 in another comprehensive victory.
The Reds started quickly at Anfield, with in-form Dominik Szoboszlai tucking past Nick Pope to open the scoring on 11 minutes.
The hosts continued to tick the ball about nicely for the majority of the first half - but that wasn’t to say the opening 45 minutes was devoid of Newcastle threat, with Callum Wilson having a pair of glorious opportunities to draw parity.
Those chances went abegging for the Magpies, who were punished after the break as Alexis Mac Allister fired into the top corner to give Liverpool breathing space - set up by Mohamed Salah, who registered his 42nd goal involvement in 28 league games.
That was enough for Arne Slot’s side to comfortably get over the line in their Carabao Cup final precursor - and with title rivals Arsenal dropping points once again at Nottingham Forest, the win took Liverpool an eye-watering 13 points clear at the Premier League’s pinnacle.
Relive all the action and reaction from Anfield here:
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
Liverpool have the lead at the break, and they’re good value for it.
The Reds started quickly at Anfield, with in-form Dominik Szoboszlai tucking past Nick Pope to open the scoring on 11 minutes.
The hosts continued to tick the ball about nicely for the majority of the half - but that wasn’t to say the first 45 was devoid of Newcastle threat, with Callum Wilson having a pair of glorious opportunities to draw parity.
This is far from over yet for the league leaders, even if Arne Slot’s team talk will be something along the lines of ‘more of the same’.
Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
45 mins: One minute added on.
That’s Slot’s signal to begin his lengthy walk to the dressing room.
Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
42 mins: Newcastle launch a ball into the Liverpool box, aiming for the big target of Dan Burn.
Burn clatters with fellow colossus Virgil van Dijk, who lands on the deck awkwardly - maybe knocking the wind out of him.
But fear not Reds fans, we know by this point that Van Dijk is made of sterner stuff and with the help of Burn, he’s back on his feet. Nice show of respect between the two big men.
Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
40 mins: CLOSE! Liverpool are keeping up the pressure on Nick Pope’s goal.
It’s Salah this time who lets fly, getting the ball onto his dynamite left peg on the top right corner of the box before firing a trademark effort towards the far top corner.
Just a bit too high.
Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
36 mins: CLOSE! Szoboszlai comes inches away from his second of the night.
The midfielder runs onto the ball on the edge of the box and tries curling it into that far side-netting, but it flies just wide.
Moments earlier, Nick Pope escaped catastrophe as he booted his clearance against the on-rushing Mo Salah. Luckily for the keeper, it runs out of play rather than into his own net.
'Crossing divides in the technical area'
“Arne Slot is up in the directors' box as he serves the first game of his ban.
“It means the man in charge in the technical area is Johnny Heitinga.
“Not sure when a former Everton player was last in charge of Liverpool (even if not actually).”
Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
31 mins: CLOSE! Another glorious chance for Callum Wilson.
Wilson gets goalside of Konate and runs in behind. He tries to get control of the bouncing ball, taking a touch with his knee before side-footing an effort wide of the far post.
This time the flag doesn’t go up to spare his blushes. A better finish and that’s parity for the visitors.
Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
29 mins: Another bit of brilliance from Luis Diaz as he wriggles away from the challenges of two or three Newcastle players, before playing it back to Kostas Tsimikas.
The Greek, who has never scored for Liverpool, sees his name in lights and fires an effort goalwards. It blazes high and wide.
Can’t blame him for having a crack!
Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
26 mins: Anthony Gordon finds himself in space down the right and tries to find a Newcastle shirt in the box, well defended by Konate on the penalty spot.
Then on the break, there’s drama. Jota brings the ball down and is being hugged by Schar to prevent him from running away.
Stuart Attwell takes his time to give the foul - but when he does eventually blow, it’s the moment Jota wriggles away from the Newcastle defenders and has a run at goal from the halfway line.
Another lucky escape for Newcastle. Attwell is not a popular man inside Anfield.
Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
24 mins: Konate leaves Guimaraes in his dust as he embarks on a rare foray into the attacking half.
He slips it to Salah who tries playing Jota in with a wonderful reverse pass, but the ball hits the striker’s heels and the opportunity goes.
Really nice move that.
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