ST JAMES’ PARK — England would appear to have a title race. Liverpool flew back from Tyneside on Wednesday night on top of the Premier League, which is where they were when entering 2020, but whereas 12 months ago Jurgen Klopp’s team had a 13-point lead, this morning it is just three. That it is over Manchester United, who have a game in hand, is unlikely to go unnoticed.
Liverpool’s quest last January was to win a first league title in 30 years. In 2021 it will be to equal United’s tally of 20 championships. The Reds of Merseyside remain favourites, but two draws in four days against opponents Liverpool would expect to defeat has raised a debate.
That Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow was outstanding and needed to be was proof of Liverpool’s attacking threat, but as against West Brom on Sunday, opportunities came and went. Liverpool have won just two of their eight away games.
The fact that Alisson made a diving save from Ciaran Clark in the last 10 minutes illustrated the game was not all one-way. Steve Bruce had requested a performance that would “shut a few people up” and he got one. This was one of his best nights at St James’ Park.
The champions’ teamsheet, as ever, was scrutinised for changes and the sight of Thiago Alcantara’s name among the substitutes delighted Liverpool fans. Yet in an expansive opening half hour it was Newcastle’s big change, the re-introduction of Callum Wilson, that was the game’s major influence. Wilson, half-rested, half-protected in the loss at Man City, began like a genuine Newcastle United No 9, albeit in a No 13 jersey.
The home side had clearly noted Nat Phillips’ presence and seeing a makeshift red partnership in front of him, Wilson ran, checked and passed with menace. He was worrying Liverpool all on his own. Behind him Matty Longstaff was building on a solid showing at City with some short, sharp contributions. All over, there was an energy to Newcastle which their fans will have squinted at to recognise.
It was a tone set as early as the second minute when a cross-shot from the right from Wilson forced Alisson to tip over. Ten minutes later Wilson ran at Phillips on the opposite flank. He beat the stand-in centre-half in a one-on-one and Wilson was quickly eight yards from goal, though at an angle. As he shot, Fabinho raced in to block.
But Newcastle were heartened; Liverpool had been given another warning. DeAndre Yedlin then snatched when in a decent position.
Amid this, Liverpool racked up attacking moments of their own. There was some exquisite one-touch football from Klopp’s side and a truly wonderful 40-yard cross-field pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
But it took until the 34th minute for Darlow to make a serious save. When it came, it was with Darlow’s fingertips and it prevented Mo Salah from slipping the ball into the far corner. Found by a cute Jordan Henderson ball, Salah was unmarked.
It was a real opportunity and there was another on the stroke of half-time when Roberto Firmino was fed a perfect centre by Sadio Mane. Firmino’s header from 10 yards was true and powerful. Darlow sprang to his right to parry.
Klopp jogged down the tunnel when the half-time whistle blew. He may not have been anxious overall, but perhaps a little concerned that Liverpool had not taken their chances. It was his complaint after West Brom: “We have to finish the situations off.”
It is a remark he possibly revisited to himself when Mane flashed a header inches wide five minutes after the re-start. Klopp had just shown some frustration when Mane had fouled Longstaff.
A question now was if Newcastle could maintain their intensity. An answer, as the hour mark and then 70-minute mark came, was Yes.
But the Geordies were being helped by Liverpool’s ongoing wastefulness. Klopp has his head in his hands twice in two minutes, first when Salah profited from a piece of Firmino brilliance in midfield only to skew his low effort wide, then when Firmino nodded an Andy Robertson corner wide from five yards.
Shortly after, Klopp called for Thiago. Liverpool came again. A superb pinged 40-yarder from Thiago had Alexander-Arnold in space on the right. His cross was fast and dangerous and Darlow could only push it out onto Mane. The rebound was about to go over the line until Fabian Schar scooped it away.
There will have been cheers in Manchester.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2MaP1p9
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