90’+4’Full TimeSecond Half ends, Newcastle United 0, Liverpool 2.90’+3’Post updateAttempt blocked. Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Wilson.90’+2’Post updateAttempt saved. Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Callum Wilson.90’+1’Post updateAttempt missed. Dan Burn (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Miguel Almirón with a cross following a set piece situation.90’Post updateAttempt blocked. Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Miguel Almirón.90’Post updateFoul by Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool).89’Post updateMiguel Almirón (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the left wing.89’Post updateAttempt saved. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Miguel Almirón.88’Post updateFoul by Curtis Jones (Liverpool).87’Post updateJeff Hendrick (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.87’Post updateOffside, Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold tries a through ball, but Mohamed Salah is caught offside.86’Post updateAttempt blocked. Curtis Jones (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mohamed Salah.85’Post updateAttempt saved. Curtis Jones (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mohamed Salah.84’Post updateAttempt blocked. Curtis Jones (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool’s bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League gained further momentum after a crucial win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Jurgen Klopp’s side, who had secured their first league victory of 2023 in the Merseyside derby against Everton on Monday, took control with two early goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. Newcastle’s night was made worse when goalkeeper Nick Pope was sent off after 22 minutes for handling the ball to stop Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah from racing clear. Pope’s replacement Martin Dubravka is cup-tied for next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley, leaving former Liverpool keeper Loris Karius as the most likely contender to face Erik ten Hag’s side.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Newcastle showed plenty of spirit, with Alisson turning Allan Saint-Maximin’s shot onto the bar and Dan Burn also rattling the woodwork with a header. Diogo Jota also delivered a dangerous cameo as he moves close to full fitness after a long injury absence, while Virgil van Dijk comfortably came through his first 90 minutes since sustaining a hamstring injury.
The result leaves Liverpool six points behind fourth-placed Newcastle with a game in hand, providing the perfect tonic before their Champions League meeting with holders Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday. Newcastle’s thoughts now turn to Wembley and their Carabao Cup final against Manchester United, although they will have to do so without Pope, who will miss out due to his red card.
Despite the result, there were still plenty of positives for Newcastle fans to take away, with their side showing character and creating chances throughout – although again there was a lack of end product. They will be lifted by the return of Bruno Guimaraes at Wembley, and can now fix full focus on their biggest game in years and the chance to end their 54-year trophy drought. Darwin Nunez was named Player of the Match with an average rating of 7.79.