EPL: Liverpool too good for Newcastle

Liverpool have continued their fine run of form by beating Newcastle 3-1 on Thursday evening.

The win kept Liverpool only a point adrift of leaders Manchester City, who demolished Leeds 7-0 on Tuesday.

The loss left Newcastle in the relegation zone, but Eddie Howe would be happy with the display his team produced, however, as the Magpies gave the hosts a run for their money. 

As expected, Liverpool started the match as the dominant side as Diogo Jota forced Martin Dubravka into action in the early stages of the game. 

But, it was Newcastle who took the lead against the run of play, silencing the roarig Kop End all of a sudden. 

Shelvey strikes

Thiago Alcantara poorly gave the ball away to Jonjo Shelvey.

Shelvey launched a thunderous strike from long range, which escaped the fingertips of Alisson Becker and found its way into the Liverpool net. 

Liverpool did not let the early setback disrupt their flow, as they continued to probe the Newcastle defence. 

Mane hit the post soon afterwards, but it would not have counted since the offside flag was up.

Jota dangerously ran past a sliding Fabian Schar, but Shelvey made a great use of his shoulder to disrupt the onrushing forwards balance and denied him a free shot at goal. 

But, the Portugal intetnational did restore parity minutes later, even though the circumstances were controversial, to say the least. 

Isaac Hayden went down injured following a head clash, but Liverpool did not halt the play and Jota guided a Sadio Mane cross home. 

Understandably, Newcastle players were furious and they made their objections known immediately.

But, referee Mike Dean remained unfazed and the VAR review also ruled the goal legal. 

Salah continues goal scoring exploits

Still shocked by the nature of the first goal, Newcastle soon suffered another blow as Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool the lead.

The Egyptian has now had goal involvements in 15 consecutive appearances, matching the Premier League record set by Jamie Vardy during Leicester City’s fairy-tale 2015/16 Premier League campaign.

Newcastle started to ask more serious questions in the second half, as they played with a better structur. 

But, the lack of clinical finishing proved costly for them. 

Dubravka kept out a superb Mane header as Jacob Murphy narrowly placed his shot wide of the post in the opposite end. 

Liverpool failed to create much chances in the second half, and required a touch of magic to put the match beyond Newcastle’s reach.

Trent is the man

Trent-Alexander Arnold provided that in the 87th minute. 

The fullback unleashed a 25-yard screamer that gave Dubravka no chance of making a save.

On Tuesday night, we thought we saw the Premier League goal of the season when Kevin De-Bruyne fired in a glorious long range shot.

Only days later, Trent-Alexander Arnold treated us with an equally impressive strike. 

Liverpool will be hoping to retain the momentum when they visit North London to face Tottenham Hotspur, if that match does not get postponed.

The Lilywhites are suffering with several covid cases and both of their previous matches were suspended. 

Fixtures do not get any easier for Newcastle, on the other hand, as they welcome Manchester City on weekend.