Liverpool moved prime of the Premier League forward of Manchester Metropolis’s journey to Leeds United due to a 1-0 win in opposition to Newcastle at St James’ Park.
After a busy opening to the sport, the away facet settled and Naby Keita – considered one of 5 modifications for the Reds – obtained what proved to be the winner. Certainly, the Guinea worldwide was among the finest gamers all through the sport.
Miguel Almiron thought he had levelled after rounding Alisson Becker, however the offside flag denied him.
Within the second half, Newcastle pushed ahead to attempt to get their equaliser, however Liverpool stood agency to maintain maintain of all three factors.
Newcastle’s defence was firm for parts of the sport, regardless of the defeat. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was the standout as he made a variety of necessary saves.
Nonetheless, Liverpool missed a variety of probabilities to extend their benefit.
Newcastle
Martin Dubravka: Bought carried out by Keita’s feint within the build-up to the objective and couldn’t make a save, however recovered to avoid wasting a Sadio Mane effort later within the first half. Put himself about effectively within the second half to make additional saves to cease Liverpool scoring any extra. 8.
Emil Krafth: Bought himself on the road however couldn’t cease Keita’s opener from shut vary. Both facet of that, made a number of necessary headers away and interceptions. Struggled to maintain Diaz at bay within the second half. 5.
Fabian Schar: Felt he was fouled within the build-up to Keita’s objective, however confirmed equally good dedication to his defence within the first half. Got here off with an damage early within the second half. 5.
Dan Burn: Made a variety of good tackles and headers however was alongside Krafth on the road for Keita’s strike and will have caught a leg out. Extra good defending within the second half. 6.
Matt Targett: Had a blended time of his time marking Luis Diaz and Joe Gomez on Liverpool‘s proper and the opening objective got here on his facet, with Keita and Diogo Jota combining. Made a unbelievable last-ditch deal with to cease Mohamed Salah scoring amid a stable second half. 5.
Bruno Guimaraes: Took his time to get into the sport, however grew into it. Nevertheless, he struggled to create in assault and as an alternative needed to defend for many of the first half. Confirmed rather more creativity within the second half, however Newcastle struggled with their finish product. 6.
Jonjo Shelvey: Largely ineffective for Newcastle within the first half and struggled to come up with Liverpool’s midfield. Significantly better after the break, urgent and making tackles to assist get the hosts ahead. 5.
Joe Willock: Quiet first half and struggled to create a lot in assault. Significantly better within the second half however got here off halfway by as Eddie Howe sought a direct objective menace in Chris Wooden. 4.
Miguel Almiron: Thought he levelled after doing excellently to get spherical Alisson Becker, who has an amazing document in one-on-one conditions. Nevertheless, his offside run to begin with let him down. Did not create a lot after the break. 4.
Joelinton: Arguably Newcastle’s most vigorous participant in assault within the first half, establishing and linking the hosts’ assaults but additionally conceding some fouls. Couldn’t discover any finish product within the second half. 4.
Allan Saint-Maximin: Performed in a great cross inside the primary minute, however that was his greatest contribution of the primary half. The opposite notable one was a shot which dribbled harmlessly broad. Energetic within the second half however didn’t create a lot. 4.
Substitutes:
Jamaal Lascelles (on for Schar, 61): Defended effectively when wanted to cease Liverpool scoring a second. 5.
Chris Wooden (on for Willock, 67): Acquired little or no service, regardless of balls into the field being the tall striker’s bread and butter. Struggled to contribute to assaults elsewhere. 4.
Jacob Murphy (on for Krafth, 85): Struggled to get into the sport within the last phases with Newcastle in search of the equaliser. 3.
Liverpool
Alisson Becker: Got here off his line effectively to clear with Allan Saint-Maximin chasing a ball excessive, however did not get the higher of Almiron within the one-on-one. Did what he needed to do within the second half as he stored a clear sheet. 7.
Joe Gomez: Impressed defensively to cease Joelinton and Saint-Maximin, however his crosses on the different finish might have been higher. Significantly better within the second half and Mane ought to have put one of many right-back’s passes away. 6.
Joel Matip: Made some necessary defensive contributions to maintain Newcastle at bay. Continued to regulate Joelinton and Saint-Maximin after the break. 7.
Virgil van Dijk: Had quite a lot of the ball within the first half and his lengthy passing as much as the entrance three was poor total. However, he made up for it with a stable defensive show. 8.
Andy Robertson: His passing might have been higher, however he made good runs ahead and defended when wanted. Energetic down the left in assault and defence to maintain the Liverpool momentum up in direction of the tip. 7.
James Milner: All-action for Liverpool within the first half, together with three tackles within the first 5 minutes. Received the ball first within the deal with with Schar within the build-up to Keita’s opener. Continued in that vein within the second half. 7.
Jordan Henderson: Saved the away facet ticking over in midfield and he may very well be heard barking his orders as captain. Stable within the second half earlier than coming off. 7.
Naby Keita: Liverpool’s greatest participant within the first half. Ought to have crossed to Robertson on a counter-attack early on however selected to shoot. Nevertheless, his one-two with Jota caught Newcastle out and he confirmed good composure to delay his shot and ultimately rating. Continued to mix effectively with Diaz and Mane earlier than half time and was stable within the second half. 8.
Diogo Jota: Shot broad from a nook early on and that was his solely actual first-half likelihood. Nonetheless, he obtained the help for Keita’s objective and pressed Newcastle’s defence effectively. Did not put away just a few probabilities within the second half, with Dubravka standing agency. 6.
Sadio Mane: Performed by the center once more and linked assault and defence effectively with tackles and passes. Ought to have carried out higher with a shot on a counter-attack within the first interval. Ought to have scored with an amazing second-half likelihood earlier than getting a yellow card and coming off. 5.
Luis Diaz: Energetic down Liverpool’s proper and induced Targett and Newcastle’s defence issues. Gave Newcastle issues along with his runs from out broad within the second half, however his finish product was truly poor. 5.
Substitutes:
Fabinho (on for Henderson, 69): Saved Liverpool ticking over within the second half to take care of the 1-0 lead. 5.
Mohamed Salah (on for Mane, 69): Headed over shortly after approaching and did not get any clear-cut probabilities. 4.
Thiago Alcantara (on for Milner, 78): Had quite a lot of the ball going forwards, however his finish product was poor. 4.