Arne Slot’s team took another stride towards the Premier League title with a well-deserved victory against the Magpies.
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 13 points, securing a 2-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday. Following their 2-0 triumph over reigning champions Manchester City, the Reds kept up their momentum, taking an early lead through Dominik Szoboszlai. Alexis Mac Allister added the second goal as suspended coach Arne Slot watched from the stands.
The Reds struck within 12 minutes when Luis Diaz raced down the left wing and cut back to find Szoboszlai unmarked in the Newcastle box, allowing him to fire past Nick Pope.
Kostas Tsimikas had a chance to double the lead after Diaz displayed determination to shake off challenges from the Magpies’ defense. He set up Tsimikas in the box, but the Greece international’s shot went wide. Shortly after, Newcastle had a great opportunity when a long ball caught Ibrahima Konate off guard, sending Callum Wilson through on goal, but he shot wide.
Just after the hour mark, Liverpool doubled their advantage. Mac Allister intercepted a pass and advanced before playing it out to Mohamed Salah, who beat his marker and squared it back to Mac Allister, who scored with his first touch.
Salah nearly assisted again with a curling pass towards the back post, but Diaz slid in and fired wide. In the final moments, Salah was set through by Szoboszlai, but his low shot was saved by Pope as the match wound down.
GOAL rates Liverpool’s players from Anfield…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Alisson (6/10): Had no saves to make as Newcastle struggled to find the target.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10): Improved from his poor performance against City but wasted a promising attack with a poor pass.
Ibrahima Konate (6/10): Below his usual standard, though there were some bright moments.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10): Managed the defense well and kept Newcastle at bay, aided by Isak’s absence.
Kostas Tsimikas (5/10): Looked shaky defensively despite some solid tackles.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch (6/10): Delivered a solid performance, rarely putting a foot wrong.
Alexis Mac Allister (7/10): Scored the second goal and had decent passing throughout.
Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10): A key player again, contributing both defensively and offensively, and linking play effectively.
Attack
Mohamed Salah (6/10): Quiet for much of the match but set up the second goal.
Diogo Jota (5/10): Offered little threat and was subdued before being substituted after an hour.
Luis Diaz (8/10): The most dangerous player, effectively linking up with Jota and Szoboszlai.
Subs & Manager
Cody Gakpo (6/10): Tried to challenge the defense and had a shot blocked.
Wataru Endo (6/10): Made a sliding challenge that initiated a Liverpool attack, though it was cut out.
Jarell Quansah (6/10): Comfortably filled in for Alexander-Arnold at full-back.
Curtis Jones (N/A): Came on late for Mac Allister.
Darwin Nunez (N/A): Substituted in for Diaz late in the game.
Arne Slot (7/10): Watched from the stands due to a suspension, but his substitutes helped maintain defensive stability in the second half.