Liverpool increased their lead at the top of the Premier League to 13 points as they claimed a 2-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday. Days after their 2-0 victory over reigning champions Manchester City, the Reds maintained the intensity to take an early lead through Dominik Szoboszlai, before Alexis Mac Allister blasted in as they delivered the goods while suspended coach Arne Slot watched on from the stand.

 

 

The Reds went ahead inside 12 minutes when Luis Diaz charged down the left wing and cut back to find Szoboszlai in plenty of space in the Newcastle box, allowing him to lash beyond Nick Pope.

Kostas Tsimikas then could have doubled their lead – or should have hit the target – after Diaz showed tremendous determination and composure to pick himself up and shake off the challenges of the Magpies defence. He knocked it to the Greece international in the box, but Tsimikas’ shot was way off. Moments later, Newcastle had a great chance when a ball over the top caught out Ibrahima Konate and sent Callum Wilson through on goal, but he fired wide.

 

Shortly after the hour mark, the home team doubled their lead. Mac Allister cut out a pass in his team’s half and carried it forward before poking it wide to Mohamed Salah, who in turn bamboozled his marker and squared back to the midfielder to lash home with his first touch.

Salah almost had another fantastic assist when he sent a pass curling towards the back post with the outside of his boot, but Diaz came sliding in and fired it wide. In the late stages, the Egypt star was sent through on goal by Szoboszlai, but his low shot was kept out by Pope as the match faded out.

 

 

Goalkeeper & Defence

Alisson (6/10):

Didn’t have a save to make as Newcastle couldn’t hit the target.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

Fared much better than his dismal showing against City at the weekend, but ruined a promising attack with a woeful pass.

Ibrahima Konate (6/10):

Not the calibre of performance expected of him, but had a few bright moments.

Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

Swept up well to keep Newcastle from causing much trouble, with his job made a bit easier due to Isak’s absence.

Kostas Tsimikas (5/10):

Looked a bit shaky defensively despite some good tackles.

 

Midfield

Ryan Gravenberch (6/10):

Hardly put a foot wrong in the midfield in another smooth performance.

Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):

Blasted into the net to double Liverpool’s lead and his passing was decent.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10):

Another decisive display following Sunday’s heroics. He offered plenty more than the goal, digging in to win the ball a few times and linking up well.

 

 

Attack

Mohamed Salah (6/10):

Had one shot from the edge of the box and had been quiet, but still managed to set up the second goal.

Diogo Jota (5/10):

Offered nothing as a direct threat and was quiet before he went off after the hour mark.

Luis Diaz (8/10):

The Reds looked most dangerous with him running at the back line and connecting with Jota and Szoboszlai.

 

 

Subs & Manager

Cody Gakpo (6/10):

Tried his best to create some trouble for the visitors’ defence and had a shot blocked and then an adacious attempt went wide.

Wataru Endo (6/10):

Made a sliding challenge to kick start a Liverpool attack, but it was cut out.

Jarell Quansah (6/10):

Trusted at full-back and looked comfortable in Alexander-Arnold’s spot.

Curtis Jones (N/A):

Came on late for Mac Allister.

Darwin Nunez (N/A):

A late replacement for Diaz.

Arne Slot (7/10):

Forced to watch from the stands as his two-game suspension began, but his substitutes helped to keep the Reds stable defensively throughout the second half.