Liverpool reignited their hopes of a Premier League top-four finish as they beat 10-man Newcastle United 2-0 at St James’ Park.
The Reds took an early lead through well-worked goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo before Nick Pope was sent off for handling outside his box in desperately attempting to prevent a third.
And, though the hosts made light of their numerical disadvantage in constantly threatening — most notably when Dan Burn struck the bar — Jurgen Klopp’s men held on to inflict the Magpies’ first league defeat since the two sides met at Anfield in August.
Liverpool now sit six points behind fourth-placed Newcastle with a game in hand and the prospect of a late charge into fourth looking far likelier than it did just two weeks ago.
As for the Magpies, they must quickly refocus on a League Cup final meeting with Manchester United next weekend, which Pope will now miss through suspension.
Newcastle vs. Liverpool result
1H 2H Final
Newcastle 0 0 2
Liverpool 2 0 0
Goals:
LIV — Nunez (10th min)
LIV — Gakpo (17th min)
Liverpool’s attack can cover multitude of sins
It has been fairly obvious since August that, having neglected their midfield for successive transfer windows, Liverpool are unlikely to be able to control games consistently this season.
But football is all about masking your flaws and, judging by this outing, the Reds are certainly better placed to do that for the remaining games.
The returns of Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, Darwin Nunez’s improving consistency, and Cody Gakpo’s growing confidence means Klopp’s men now look far more likely to outscore their opponents.
They may not have strangled the life out of Newcastle in this one, but they threatened constantly and took their chances — and that bodes incredibly well for the top-four race.
Alisson has never let standards drop
Alisson Becker might be the only Liverpool player who, come the end of this most difficult of seasons, will be able to confidently say that he has never let his world-class standards slip.
The Brazilian was once again in inspired form here and, despite the Reds running out as winners, had a good claim to being man of the match.
Not only did he pull out some big saves at key moments of the game, he also forced Pope’s red card with quick thinking and accurate distribution.
Where would Klopp’s men be without him? Certainly not in with a shout of Champions League qualification.
Will Nick Pope miss League Cup final?
Yes. Pope’s red card would not have represented such a major blow for Newcastle were it not for the fact that back-up goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is cup-tied for the upcoming League Cup final against Manchester United.
The Slovak played for Sunday’s opponents in that competition earlier this season before his loan stint at Old Trafford was cut prematurely short.
Consequently, Eddie Howe now faces a difficult choice between former Liverpool man Loris Karius and boyhood Toon fan Mark Gillespie at Wembley.
Karius’ last outing for an English club came when he put in a horrorshow performance for the Reds in the 2018 Champions League final — will that history cost him a spot in this one?
Note: This article is taken from sportingnews.com
