Liverpool again had to settle for a draw in the Premier League on Saturday. Five days after the disappointing draw at Leeds United, Jürgen Klopp’s team also came home against Newcastle United with a draw: 1-1. The points division is a hard blow for Liverpool, which with a current sixth place is outside the distribution of European tickets. The Reds still have five match days to secure a place in the first four or five.
Liverpool only needed three minutes to take the lead. After a good cross from Sadio Mané, Diogo Jota was unable to reach the ball and eventually fell for Mohamed Salah’s football via a Newcastle defender. The Egyptian turned well away from Matt Richie and shot hard behind goalkeeper Martin Dubravka: 1-0.
That was also the halftime score at Anfield, although Liverpool had excellent chances of a second goal via Salah, Mané and Jota. Either the attempts were not on target or the good goalkeeping Dubravka got in the way. Newcastle was only dangerous in the conversion, with Allan Saint-Maximin with his speed being the greatest weapon of all the Magpies used to be. The best chance was for Sean Longstaff face to face with Alisson, but the Liverpool goalkeeper came out victorious with a good save.
Newcastle played well in the first twenty minutes of the second half and had the prospect of an equalizer twice via Joelinton. However, Alisson kept Liverpool going both times. Klopp’s team tried to close the game, partly because it went wrong in the previous match against Leeds United (1-1) just before time.
A bizarre denouement eventually led to Newcastle’s equalizer. In the third minute, Callum Wilson seemed to make it 1-1 when he first bumped into Allison and was still accurate in the rebound. However, the VAR noted that he got the ball back to his arm via the goalkeeper. In the fifth minute of extra time it was still hit: a shot by substitute Joe Willock changed direction by Fabinho meant the 1-1. It was already his fourth goal in ten matches for Newcastle for the Arsenal mercenary.
Liverpool is one point behind Chelsea and West Ham United, who will face each other at the London Stadium tonight from 6.30 p.m. In the remainder of the competition, the battle for the last three Champions League tickets is completely open for the time being. Leader Manchester City is certain of placement for the tournament.