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:
Eddie Howe plays down impact of Arne Slot's touchline ban
Eddie Howe isn’t banking on Arne Slot’s absence on the touchline making the difference for tonight’s clash at Anfield.
“I wish that would be a deciding factor in the game, but I don't think it will,” Howe told TNT Sports.
“I think a manager can have a certain degree of influence through the game, but it's the players that make the difference.
“I'm just looking for my players to perform to their maximum.”
Match facts
Liverpool have scored at least twice in each of their last 17 home games in all competitions.
Mo Salah has scored four goals in last two Premier League games against Newcastle, netting a brace in both.
Alexander Isak has scored 10 away goals in the Premier League this season – only Andrew Cole (12 in 1993-94) and Alan Shearer (11 in 2001-02) have netted more on the road in a single campaign for Newcastle.
Eddie Howe provides Isak injury update
Alexander Isak is out of tonight’s clash with Liverpool due to a groin issue - but luckily for Newcastle, Eddie Howe has quelled any fears that the injury is serious.
“It’s really disappointing that we lose Alex, but he's a player that we can't take any risks with,” Howe told TNT Sports.
“It became apparent in the last day or so after the last game that he was just feeling something, so he misses out today.
“It's a big blow because he's been so good for us this season. We don't know [how long he’ll be out] at the moment but we don't think it's serious at all.
“Part of our mind is to try and keep him available for the following games we have.”
What could a Champions League spot mean for Newcastle?
With the Magpies chasing a Champions League spot for the second time in three seasons, it’s worth considering what a place in Europe’s premier cup competition could bring the club.
Since the Saudi takeover in 2021, the club have seen Champions League football just once, in the 2023/24 season, where they failed to make it out of the groups despite recording a couple of famous results.
And this season, with interest surrounding Alexander Isak and questions in some areas surrounding the ‘success’ of the ownership so far, Champions League football could provide an especially important key to future success.
As well as potentially helping to keep key players for at least another season, a place in the competition would also allow Newcastle increased revenues and the ability to spend more in the summer – something that could be key to PSR and the longer-term assembly of a squad capable of regularly challenging for trophies.
Match facts
Since losing their first Premier League home game against Newcastle 2-0 in April 1994, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 28 against the Magpies at Anfield in the competition (W23 D5).
Newcastle are winless in their last 16 Premier League games against Liverpool (D5 L11) since a 2-0 win in December 2015 under Steve McClaren.
The numbers behind Mohamed Salah’s ‘special’ season rivalling Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo peak
Another week, another record. Mohamed Salah took his extraordinary season to further heights with a goal and assist in Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Manchester City, a result that takes the Reds a step closer to winning just a second league title in 35 years.
Salah’s 25th Premier League goal and 16th assist of the campaign means he is on course to smash the current record, held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole, for the most Premier League goal involvements in a single season. At 32, and with his Liverpool contract running out in the summer, Salah’s form is better than ever and the Egyptian is being driven on by his motivation of adding a second Premier League crown.
“Maybe people prefer my first seasons or now, but I prefer now because winning the league, helping the young players. It is special,” he told Sky Sports after Liverpool opened up an 11-point lead at the top of the Premier League. “We need another title.”
The numbers behind Salah’s ‘special’ season rivalling Messi and Ronaldo peak
Head-to-head
These two sides have played out one of the Premier League’s most entertaining rivalries over the years, and they have met 163 times in the past.
Liverpool have won 80 of these previous games, with the Magpies winning 42 and 41 ending as draws.
Earlier this season, the two clubs played out one of the games of the season in a 3-3 draw at St James’ Park.
Liverpool vs Newcastle brings Carabao Cup final preview
For those who don’t remember, it is these two sides who will contesting the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on 16 March.
Liverpool beat Spurs to earn their Wembley places while Newcastle dispatched Arsenal over two legs, and the two clubs will now contest the first silverware of the season as the Magpies look to end a 70-year trophy drought.
Liverpool won the League Cup last season when they beat Chelsea, and Arne Slot will hope this final can give the Reds added impetus – and a first trophy of his tenure – ahead of the title run-in.
Nevertheless, as evidenced by the match between the two at St James, Newcastle can cause plenty of problems for Slot’s side, and the emotion of potentially ending their trophy drought could well take them to their first major trophy since 1955.
When can Liverpool win the Premier League title?
Liverpool’s statement 2-0 win over Manchester City at the weekend has been hailed in some corners as the win that essentially wrapped up the 2024/25 Premier League title.
The result extended the Reds’ lead at the top of the league to 11 points with 11 games left to play, and though Arsenal have a game in hand, it does not look like Arne Slot’s side – who have lost just once all season – will relinquish such a sizeable lead.
The Reds need just 26 points out of a possible 33, with Arsenal only able to obtain a maximum of 89 points – if they were to win all of their remaining 12 games, that is.
Liverpool fans may still be looking over their shoulders with some nerves, but the truth is that the club is edging towards another top-flight title – but when is the earliest that they could clinch number 20?
When can Liverpool win the Premier League title?
Liverpool won’t be distracted by Arsenal’s results in title race, Arne Slot insists
Arne Slot says Liverpool cannot get wrapped up in what title rivals Arsenal are doing as the Premier League leaders continue preparations for Sunday’s tough trip to Manchester City.
The Reds have an eight-point cushion at the top of the standings following Wednesday’s hard-fought 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
But Arsenal, who have a game in hand, can cut that advantage before Liverpool take to the field at home to West Ham on Saturday afternoon.
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