Newcastle vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Naby Keita nets winner
Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool: Follow reaction as the Reds edge past the Magpies to leapfrog Man City atop the Premier League table
Naby Keita ensured Liverpool’s quadruple hopes remain very much alive as he fired them to victory at in-form Newcastle to keep up the pressure on Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
Keita’s assured first-half finish was enough to claim a 1-0 win at St James’ Park on a day when Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was able to rest Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah from his startling line-up ahead of Tuesday’s decisive Champions League semi-final trip to Villarreal.
Liverpool might - and probably should - have won more comfortably in front of a boisterous crowd of 52,281 as they held the upper hand for much of a contest which saw the Magpies’ hopes of a fifth successive league win and a seventh on the trot at home wilt in the face of almost constant pressure.
Eddie Howe’s men were never able to build up the kind of head of steam which has eased them clear of the relegation battle, perhaps a reminder of how far they have to go before they can once again compete with English football’s best on a sustained basis.
Follow all the reaction from a crucial Reds win at St James’ Park below:
Joelinton finally finding his feet
Joelinton has been the most improved player for Newcastle since Eddie Howe took over from Steve Bruce.
He has filled in as a midfielder but today looks set to lead the line once more, looking to build on the two goals away at Norwich last weekend.
Newcastle vs Liverpool
Feel like it’s necessary to mention that Howe was helped by the £90 million spent in the January transfer window.
That said, Kieran Trippier has been injured for much of the second half of the season. Chris Wood has failed to hit the ground running.
Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes have come good in recent weeks, but Howe has definitely improved players who were already at the club - Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, Jonjo Shelvey.
Howe did he do it?
Eddie Howe has helped Newcastle move from the relegation zone to the top half of the Premier League table.
Just moments ago he outlined how he has improved their form.
Newcastle vs Liverpool
A quick reminder of the task ahead of Newcastle this Saturday lunchtime.
Liverpool have only lost two Premier League games so far this season. The last of those came against Leicester on 28 December.
Since then, they have dropped just four points - in draws against Chelsea and Manchester City.
As well as their fine Premier League run, they have also won the Carabao Cup, reached the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-finals.
Quite remarkable.
No Mo
No Mohamed Salah in the starting line-up for Liverpool today. He returned to goalscoring form against Manchester United with a brace. He then provided an assist in the win over Everton and another against Villarreal on Wednesday.
No doubt, Klopp will call upon him if he needs some extra firepower in the second half.
Newcastle vs Liverpool head-to-head
Obviously, we have had some classic Premier League matches between Newcastle and Liverpool in the past. The pair of 4-3s spring to mind.
But, rather unsurprisingly, Liverpool have dominated the North East outfit in recent seasons.
Newcastle have not beaten Liverpool since December 2015, just one month after Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield. That was a 2-0 victory which came thanks to an own goal from Martin Skrtel and a second half striker from Georginio Wijnaldum - who would go on to play for Liverpool.
Since then, Liverpool have won six of the 10 meetings between the two sides - with the other four matches ending in draws.
Newcastle team news
Obviously the big team news is that Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been rotated and onlt start on the bench but Newcastle also made three changes to their starting XI.
Chris Wood has been left out for the second game in a row but Fabian Schar, fresh from penning a new two-year contract, returns to partner Dan Burn at the back in place of captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Jonjo Shelvey comes in for Sean Longstaff to face his former club, while Miguel Almiron, the match-winner on Tyneside last time out against Crystal Palace, replaces Jacob Murphy.
A reminder of the Magpies’ line-up:
Newcastle XI: Dúbravka, Burn, Krafth, Schär, Targett, Shelvey, Willock, Bruno Guimarães, Saint-Maximin, Almirón, Joelinton
Jurgen Klopp promises not to hold Pep Lijnders back after new Liverpool extension
Jurgen Klopp has vowed not to stand in Pep Lijnders’ way in his bid to become a manager but has told his assistant he has plenty of time to realise his ambitions and that, for now, he is better off at Liverpool.
Lijnders has made no secret of his ambition to manage but committed his future to Liverpool along with Klopp when they, and his other assistant Peter Krawietz, all signed four-year contract extensions on Thursday.
Klopp believes the 39-year-old Dutchman has all the attributes to succeed on his own but warned it could be tougher to take charge of a struggling side.
And the 54-year-old feels part of the reason for his own prowess is that he has built a fine backroom staff, consisting largely of younger coaches.
Jurgen Klopp promises not to hold Pep Lijnders back after new Liverpool extension
Lijnders has managerial ambitions of his own but has agreed to remain at Liverpool as Klopp’s assistant until 2026
Jurgen Klopp enters legendary status as Liverpool’s modern-day Bill Shankly
Jurgen Klopp looked a broken man. He faced the cameras after the 1-0 defeat by Fulham at Anfield almost 14 months ago – Liverpool’s sixth loss in seven games – but could not summon any of his trademark ebullience, writes Tony Evans.
He had already said that he would take a break from management in 2024 but seasoned Klopp watchers wondered whether he would even make it that far. An era appeared to be coming to an end.
The news that not only is Klopp going nowhere in the immediate future but he has signed a contract to keep him on Merseyside for the next four years will cause massive celebrations on the Kop. Life is pretty good for Liverpool fans anyway – the team are chasing an unprecedented four trophies in a season and are arguably the greatest side in Anfield’s history – but this announcement is the best result of the year. To supporters, Klopp is more than the man who picks the side. He transcends that role.
Jurgen Klopp enters legendary status as Liverpool’s modern-day Bill Shankly
Even in Liverpool’s pursuit of the quadruple, Klopp’s contract extension is their result of the season so far
Jurgen Klopp not sure new deal will make huge difference to players’ decisions
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp does not believe his new deal will be the deciding factor on whether the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane commit their long-term futures to the club.
The pair, along with Roberto Firmino and midfielder Naby Keita, have contracts which expire next summer and negotiations have dragged on for some time.
With Klopp now staying until 2026, there is a greater degree of security at the club but the German is not convinced that will make a huge difference to individual players’ decisions.
“That is more a question for the boys, what it exactly means for them but all fine, my relationship with them is great,” he said.
Jurgen Klopp not sure new deal will make huge difference to players’ decisions
The Reds have four players out of contract next summer.
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