Liverpool survive massive Newcastle Utd scare to keep title hopes alive amidst poor refereeing
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Rafa Benitez didn’t show any sympathy for his former side when they visited St. James Park. He fielded a strong Newcastle United side that played toe to toe with Liverpool, competed for every second ball and were arguably the better side in the 2-3 loss amidst poor refereeing.
Klopp started Sturridge up front as Firmino was medically unfit for the game. Liverpool had the best start they could have hoped for. Their reliable defender Van Dijk was unmarked in the box from a corner after the Newcastle United captain Lascelles slipped, which gave the Dutchman enough space and time to head the ball powerfully into the back of the net. Liverpool’s lead got the Newcastle United players and fans riled up.
Christian Atsu cancelled out Van Dijk’s goal in the 20th minute by tapping in from a rebound after Rondon’s shot got blocked by Trent Alexander-Arnold. From replays, it was clear that Trent Alexander-Arnold had handled the ball intentionally before Atsu’s goal.
FA’s rules weirdly state that a player who denies a clear goal scoring opportunity merits a caution when the advantage is played. In open-play, that would merit a sending-off. We think this rule needs re-writing but the referee did not show him even a yellow! Referee Andre Marriner had a poor game.
To make matters worse, it was Trent, who had handled the ball earlier, frustrated the Magpies even more by setting up Salah for Liverpool’s second. Mo Salah lost his marker to score from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross. The defending was awful for both the Liverpool goals in the first half.
A few moments earlier, Ayoze Perez was denied by the cross-bar after he had brilliantly controlled the ball to get ahead of Robertson and striked the ball sweetly. It was agonizingly close for the Toons. In the 36th minute, Dubravka denied Mane a goal from an one-on-one opportunity after Salah played him through.
Rondon who was giving the Liverpool defenders a horrid time got into the act himself. Newcastle United’s corner wasn’t cleared properly and the ball fell in front of Solomon Rondon. The Venezuelan striker gave Alisson no chance by smashing the ball into the back of the net.
As the second half progressed, Newcastle United looked more likely to score. Nerves were getting to the Liverpool players. Alisson couldn’t control Van Dijk’s back pass but luckily for him, there was no Newcastle United player near him.
Salah’s head injury forced him to come off on a stretcher. The Egyptian had collided with the Magpies keeper and went down. St. James Park applauded the Egyptian as he was carried off. It was fantastic gesture from the Toons! He was replaced by Origi.
In the 86th minute, Liverpool won a free-kick in a dangerous area when Fabinho went down too easily and Matt Richie was furious at the linesman for the incorrect decision. Poor refereeing once again! To make it worse, Origi scored with his head from an in-swinging free-kick.
Liverpool held on to secure a win but it was too harsh on the Magpies who put in a valiant fight and were unlucky on the day. Liverpool are now two points ahead of Man City who have a game in hand.
Liverpool take on Wolves in their final game of this season at the Anfield stadium while Man City take on Leicester at home and Brighton away. if Man City win their remaining fixtures, they will finish the season ahead of Liverpool and would retain their Premier League title.
The lead at the top has changed hands a record 31 times this season and the title race is destined to go to the final day after Liverpool secured a win at St. James Park.
LosMejor's Editorial Team includes a team of experts who cover the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. The Editorial team is headed by Deepak Selvan.
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