Liverpool pulled themselves to within a point of Premier League table-toppers Man City and broke a few records along the way on Thursday night as they beat Newcastle 3-1. The win means that they have become the first side to record 2,000 wins in the English top-flight.
Jurgen Klopp was handed a triple blow before kick-off with Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, and Curtis Jones all pulled out of the squad due to suspected positive Covid-19 tests, but his side were relentless tonight despite an early setback, recording 73.9% of the game’s possession and registering 24 shots to Newcastle’s four.
Anfield was left stunned in the seventh minute when Jonjo Shelvey gave the visitors a shock lead after some neat build-up play. A sloppy clearance from Thiago found the midfielder lurking on the edge of the area and Shelvey duly rifled in a superb long-range strike past a helpless Alisson.
Despite the bright start, questions were always going to be asked about how long Newcastle would stay ahead and unfortunately for the Toon faithful, it didn’t prove long. Diogo Jota pulled the Reds back into the tie, albeit controversially, in the 21st minute. Latching onto a Sadio Mane cross, the Portuguese forward headed directly at the palms of Martin Dubravka but was able to bury the rebound. Eddie Howe and his players had been fuming that Isaac Hayden had been down during the build-up but the goal remained.
That goal meant that Liverpool have scored in each of their last 32 games in all competitions, the longest ever scoring run in the club’s history. In the blink of an eye it was two and this time Mo Salah, who equalled Jamie Vardy’s record of providing a goal or an assist in 15 consecutive Premier League appearances.
Mo Salah gives Liverpool the lead after Sadio Mané's was saved by Dúbravka 🙌
Another goal, another record for the Egyptian 👏
Liverpool capped off the win with minutes remaining thanks to a thunderbolt from Trent Alexander-Arnold. The right-back picked the ball up from 25 yards out and unfurled an absolute sorcerer with his second touch to fire into the top left corner of the net and wrap up a vital three points in the title race. Newcastle remain 19th and three points away from safety.
In tonight’s other game, Chelsea lost further ground in the title race as they were held to 1-1 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge. On his return to his former club, under pressure Toffees boss Rafa Benitez got his tactics spot on and his side put in their best defensive display of the season so far.
Chelsea broke the deadlock through Mason Mount, who became the first Chelsea player to score in four consecutive league matches since Eden Hazard, but the Toffees bounced back just four minutes later through 19-year-old Jarard Branthwaite.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are now three points behind Liverpool, and four off league leaders City. Everton meanwhile remain 14th but now have an eight-point cushion on the relegation zone.
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