Liverpool have done well in the battle for the title in the Premier League by winning against the form Newcastle United. Naby Keita scored the only goal in a game in which Liverpool missed countless opportunities: 0-1. Jurgen Klopp’s side have passed Manchester City with four rounds to go and are two points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s formation, who will be in action later on Saturday to visit Leeds United.
Klopp, who signed up this week until mid-2026, decided to give several players a rest in view of the busy schedule of his team. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Ibrahima Konaté, Thiago Alcántara and Mohamed Salah all started on the bench. The hopes for the home team were based on Bruno Guimarães, who is having a strong season. It was Liverpool that dominated before half time. The first small danger on the side of the visitors came from Diogo Jota. After a few minutes of play, the Portuguese received a falling ball from a free kick in front of his feet, but missed the goal with his effort.
A minute later, Liverpool created a threat again when a failed move by Jota ended up at the feet of Naby Keita. However, the midfielder shot wide. Not much later Virgil van Dijk drove the ball from a corner far over Martin Dúbravka’s goal. In the nineteenth minute it was still hit for Liverpool. After James Milner captured the ball with a great tackle, Keita was able to pull the trigger after a good one-two with Jota and a drag movement: 0-1. Newcastle thought it was Milner’s foul, but according to referee Andre Marriner, that was not the case. Even after the goal, Liverpool provided the most threat, without leading to great opportunities for a long time. After more than half an hour, the away team was close to 0-2, but Sadio Mané was unable to pass goalkeeper Dúbravka with a weak shot after a quick counter.
The Reds take the lead! † Naby Keita is allowed to shoot in, 1-0 ?? The Magpies think Milner’s tackle is a violation but neither the referee nor the VAR want to hear about it??#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #NEWLIV pic.twitter.com/HW6SFd8jH9
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Apr 30, 2022
After Jordan Henderson failed to get a free kick on target, Miguel Almirón thought he would score in the ensuing counterattack. However, he did so in an offside position. Five minutes before the tea break, Dúbravka had to come into action with an excellent save on a header by Jota. Milner’s shot from the ensuing corner lacked precision and so the visitors headed for the dressing room with a 0-1 lead. Both teams started the second half unchanged, where it was a long wait for the first dangerous moment. That came after almost an hour of playing. Again it was Jota who went after a deep ball, but he saw Dúbravka leave his goal just in time to box the ball away. Five minutes later, Mané had to double the score for the visitors after a cross from the right by Joe Gomez, but he shot from a promising position wide of the goal of the Slovakian keeper.
Despite the predominance of Liverpool, the home team kept hope for a good result because of that one goal difference. With Jamaal Lascelles and Chris Wood, trainer Eddie Howe brought in two fresh forces. Again, however, it was the away team that caused danger, but Salah, who had just come in, was unable to head in a cross. Liverpool kept looking for the second goal, but Jota saw his bet turned. St James’ Park was revived for a moment when Wood came face to face with Alisson Becker. The Brazilian turned the striker’s effort well by coming out of his goal well, after which the man from New Zealand was still flagged.
With ten minutes to go, Newcastle was crawling more out of its shell. Liverpool took advantage of the space provided almost immediately, but Luís Dias shot into the side net from close range. Strengthened by the introduction of Jacob Murphy, suddenly the home team was there. Guimarães decided to shoot for goal around the edge of the box, but saw his effort land right in the hands of his compatriot. Again Liverpool came out dangerous and Salah almost took advantage of the space left by the home side. The Egyptian was just unable to handle the ball well and also saw this opportunity lost for Liverpool. However, the home side still could not make a fist and saw Liverpool return home with a minimal, but deserved victory: 0-1.