Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool: Keita's goal temporarily secures EPL top spot for Reds

Liverpool kept themselves firmly in the fight for the quadruple as they overcame a spirited Newcastle to keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Match Report

Jurgen Klopp made five changes at St James' Park, including leaving top scorer Mohamed Salah on the bench, after the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

It looked like it would backfire as in-form Newcastle started strongly, pressing Liverpool high and forcing them into a couple of early mistakes.

But Liverpool grew into the game and were dominating possession when Naby Keita struck in the 19th minute.

The midfielder showed great composure as he dribbled across the box and past Martin Dubravka before slotting into the net.

Liverpool and Man City fixtures for title run-in

Sadio Mane should have made it 2-0 before the break when his shot on the counter was too close to Dubravka, who also made a fine save from a Diogo Jota header.

The Newcastle fans, who were aggrieved that play continued in the lead-up to Liverpool's goal because Fabian Schar was down injured, thought Miguel Almiron had equalised after rounding Alisson, only for the effort was ruled out for offside.

The hosts also made a lively start to the second half, although Liverpool went closest to adding a second with Mane shooting wide from close range before Jota's shot was pushed over.

It was not a vintage Liverpool display, but they got the job done and they are second, one point behind Manchester City, who won at Leeds later on Saturday to reclaim top spot after a brief spell in first place for the Reds.

Match Events

0' KICK-OFF! Who can win this match?

4' Jota’s shot wide out

7' CLOSE! Naby Keita’s shot wide out

18' GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool (Naby Keita)

27' Saint-Maximin’s shot wide out

33' Mane's shot too straight

38' OFFSIDE! Almiron’s goal disallowed

40' Great header from Jota!

42' Yellow Card! Joelinton booked

50' Yellow Card! Joe Gomez booked

62' CLOSE! Naby Keita1’s shot wide out

67' Yellow Card! Mane booked

72' Salah's shot too straight

78' Jota's shot stopped by Dubravka

83' CLOSE! Díaz’s shot wide out

Line-ups

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Shelvey, Schar, Burn, Krafth, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Targett, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Willock

Subs: Ritchie, Wood, Darlow, Lascelles, Gayle, Dummett, Manquillo, J.Murphy, S. Longstaff

Liverpool XI: Milner, Henderson, Matip, Alisson, Van Dijk, Mane, Robertson, Joe Gomez, Naby Keita, Jota, L. Díaz

Subs: Thiago, Salah, Fabinho, Tsimikas, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Curtis Jones, Elliott