Liverpool Maintain Strong Premier League Lead With Home Victory Against Newcastle

 

Liverpool welcomed Newcastle gainfully with a 2-0 victory at Anfield Stadium, extending their strong leadership as Arsenal shared points with Nottingham  Forest to hand the Reds a 15-point lead in the table. 

The Reds returned to Anfield after playing four of their last six matches on the road. With a victorious homecoming seeming likely, since they won 23 of their last 24 home games, they moved ahead to lead despite Newcastle's early aggression. 

Dominik Szoboszlai who received an assist from Luis Diaz's cut-back, struck the on first touch to beat Pope to the goal and Liverpool took the lead. The second goal followed in the second half following a fast break as Mohamed Salah's through pass rightly met Alexis Mac Allister who brilliantly blasted from inside the 18-yard box. 

Liverpool kept their strong hand over the game for a clean-sheet victory. They also showcased great teamwork with productive and precise passes that gave the opposition's players difficulty in finding interceptions.

The victory extended Liverpool's unbeaten run to 24th consecutive game. The longest winning run after the most recent longest run of 44 games between January 2019 and February 2020. 

Overview 

Liverpool quickly quelled the Magpies' aggression. Newcastle got off to a blistering start with the intention of subduing the Reds by pushing them down into their own half but that proved costly as the host seized their first counter to pull off the opener. Szoboszlai's consistency in the attack has made him even more prominent and dependable for Arne Slot. 

With the Reds keeping their aerial balls effective and precise, Newcastle pressing deep into their half put them at a disadvantage as the Reds' attackers' response can be swift. The hosts' passes were spot on, giving them an advantage on the break.  A couple of opportunities came Newcastle's way, particularly with Callum Wilson who narrowly missed the goal. Both sides were invariably counter-ready. 

Liverpool were a little different in the second half. Instead of aerial balls, they played through the center, and with Cody Gakpo replacing Jota, the pace was fired up. However, the build-up to the second goal came off the right flank from Salah's cut-back inside the box.