Liverpool squandered the chance to open up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League in the final English top-flight match of 2020 after Newcastle held them to a goalless draw on Wednesday night.
The 0-0 draw at St James' Park means the champions go into the New Year with a three-point lead over Manchester United, having played a game more.
Nathaniel Phillips was handed a Premier League start for Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp's defensive resources having been further depleted.
Joel Matip joined long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the casualty list, so Phillips was included along with former Magpies midfielder James Milner in two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with West Brom, as Matip and Georginio Wijnaldum made way.
Newcastle started brightly, with Callum Wilson forcing two saves from keeper Alisson Becker inside the opening 12 minutes .
They gave as good as they got for much of the half.
Liverpool might have taken the lead 11 minutes before the break when Mohamed Salah stabbed wide having done the hard work.
And it took a fine reaction save from Karl Darlow to deny Roberto Firmino in stoppage time and ensure the sides headed back to the dressing rooms with the scores still level.
Liverpool, who had nearly three quarters of possession during the match, continued to press in the second period but could not find a breakthrough, with Darlow coming to the home side's rescue in the dying minutes.
Klopp's men finish 2020 on 33 points after 16 games.
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Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Director: Ron Howard
2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
