26 February 2025
Liverpool 2 Newcastle 0
Every game now feels like the world is at stake for Liverpool. They have built a lead at the top and need to keep that intact to get their hands on that Premier League trophy. Arne Slot’s side welcomed Newcastle to Anfield as they looked to ensure their rivals did not have the chance to close the gap. The Magpies seemed a difficult obstacle to overcome.
The big news before a ball was even kicked was that Newcastle talisman Alexander Isak was not in the matchday squad. There had been no indications that he was suffering from injury, so it came as a huge boost to everyone associated to The Reds. Suddenly a tough task for The Magpies had become somewhat of an unscalable mountain to climb.
Slot’s side felt they should have had a penalty early on when Hall bundled over Salah in the box. While the referee waved away protests, what was even more bizarre, was his awarding a free-kick to the visitors. Having seen the replay, it seemed the Newcastle full-back had tried to block the Egyptian’s run, stumbling over as a result and tripping The Reds winger as he went to ground.
Liverpool’s manager was in the stands for this one as he served the first of his two-game ban. As a result, he would have had the benefit of watching replays of the incident and certainly did not look happy with the referee’s decision. Fortunately for the official, he was a long way from the pitch so he need not worry about receiving such a horrific attack such as ……….a handshake.
Diaz received the ball out wide and run at the Newcastle defence. Everyone backed off him once he got into the penalty area and he slid a pass into the path of Szoboszlai who slotted home to give Liverpool the lead. Anfield erupted as the ball hit the back of the net, feeling a collective relief that this was another step towards that Premier League crown they were dreaming of.
The visitors played a lofted pass over the Liverpool defence as Konate was caught ball-watching, playing Wilson onside. The Magpies forward made a beeline towards goal and looked to bend a shot into the far corner as Alisson came out. His effort sailed wide of the target, with the travelling fans wondering what could have been if Isak had been playing.
Jota robbed Newcastle of the ball in midfield and as he strode towards the box, unselfishly laid it off into the path of Szoboszlai. He had only one thing on his mind as he looked to bend one in the far corner, with Pope at full-stretch. Fortunately for Eddie Howe’s side, it just went the wrong side of the post. It was another warning for The Magpies just how dangerous The Reds are in attack.
Diaz seemed to cast a spell of fear on the visitors whenever he had the ball at his feet and he was running with it. He threaded a ball through to Salah, who cut inside onto his left foot and looked to bend one in the top corner. The Egyptian King seemed to just have his range out as it sailed over the crossbar, much to the delight of Pope.
The Reds headed into the interval with a slender lead. They are more than aware what a dangerous scoreline that can be at this level. Howe’s side started showing more intent after the break to try and create something in the final third. However, their passing game always seemed to end abruptly with a stray ball gifting possession back to the hosts.
Not that Liverpool were covering themselves in glory on that front either. The usually dependable Alexander-Arnold seemed to have a radar that needed recalibrating also. Mac Allister came forward with it and played it out wide to Salah. As he teased the defenders, he slotted a ball back into the Argentine, who drilled his shot into the far corner to double the lead for Slot’s side.
By this stage, Anfield was rocking. That second goal gave them some breathing space and made the three points look even more likely. Newcastle with and without Isak are a completely different proposition. Almost to the extent where the only comparison is to be surrounded by gun-wielding attackers and help arrives in the form of Clark Kent.
The Magpies tried to push forward more, in search of a goal. Murphy looked to whip in a cross, which took a big deflection, requiring Alisson to punch clear. The hosts quickly transitioned from defence into attack and all of sudden, Salah was running at a backtracking Hall. He then played a sublime pass with the outside of his left into the back post.
It should have led to the third goal for Liverpool but as Diaz slid in to meet it, his effort was sliced wide of the target. It wasn’t the easiest of chances for the Columbian but you felt it could have been if he had anticipated the pass from Salah more. Either way it was a let-off for the visitors who were almost dead and buried in the game.
Liverpool were looking far the more likely to score at this point. Salah received a pass and drove towards goal. He got a shot off before a challenge came in but Pope got down well to save his effort, which seemed to be heading into the far corner. The fans were loving what they were seeing on the pitch, it was one-way traffic, the only time Alisson was involved was playing it out from the back.
The hosts thought they had added a third when Pope dropped a cross from a corner. It was tapped home by Salah but the referee blew his whistle, awarding a free-kick for the challenge on the keeper. They are just too protected by officials nowadays. If a keeper comes for the ball and doesn’t get it, nine time out of ten he is awarded a foul.
In the dying stages of the game, Gakpo tried an outlandish bicycle kick but the effort dropped a yard wide of the post. The Reds took all three points, extending their gap at the top to thirteen points. Newcastle would not have expected anything from this game but what will be a concern is the potential future without Isak if they were to cash in on him.
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