Liverpool needed another late goal to get three valuable points on Saturday night, winning 3-2 at Newcastle United to go top of the table. We look at some of the main talking points from the match.
Liverpool show their grit
Salomon Rondon scored and Liverpool’s title bid hung by a thread. The Anfield side had been pegged back not long after half-time, the score at 2-2 and Manchester City firmly in pole to successfully defend their crown.
Yet they responded with another display of their resolve, rebounding from Mohamed Salah’s withdrawal on a stretcher to grab the winner on 86 minutes.
It continues a theme: Liverpool have seized late home victories against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, and away at Fulham, Southampton and now Newcastle. Asked afterwards what got the job done for his team, Jurgen Klopp replied simply: “Heart”. It will take plenty more of that this week to deliver on twin pursuits.
Stricken Salah a concern
Liverpool’s victory was tempered somewhat by concerns surrounding one of their star players. Contesting a high ball on 70 minutes, Salah was caught in a heavy clash with Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, crashing to the St James’ Park turf. After lengthy treatment, he departed the pitch on a stretcher. Subsequently, the Egyptian’s participation in Tuesday’s must-win second leg of the Uefa Champions League semi-final against Barcelona seems in jeopardy. Three goals down from the initial encounter, Liverpool will hope Salah is available for what will be a decisive week in the club’s campaign. After a mid-season dip, last year’s PFA player of the year has returned to form.
Set-pieces can trouble Barcelona
Klopp’s side are famed for their fast-paced, energetic, attacking football. In Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino they boast a front three the envy of many. However, against Newcastle Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick, while Divock Origi closed it with a header from Xherdan Shaqiri's free-kick.
It took Liverpool to 22 goals from set-pieces this season, more than any other Premier League side. It helps when you have someone of Alexander-Arnold’s ability, who surely must receive a recall against Barcelona having started last week on the bench.
An obvious threat from the dead-ball, it could breathe life back into Liverpool’s European quest.
Pressure piles back onto City
Mission accomplished, so over to you. Liverpool may have needed to dig deep against Newcastle and did not seal the win until late on, but they collected three precious points and, for the moment at least, climbed back on top of the table.
In doing so, they cranked up the pressure on City, who take on Brendan Rodgers' in-form Leicester City on Monday. At this stage of the season – the penultimate round of 38 - the champions cannot really afford anything less than victory.
With title rivals Liverpool getting the job done on Saturday, the onus is now on City to survive primarily a test of their mettle. Liverpool will watch in hope.
