Liverpool locked horns with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park earlier this evening as they hoped to grind out a good result away from home in the Premier League. The Reds made a quick start to the game and got themselves ahead in the tenth minute when Darwin Nunez scored with a great touch and finish. Cody Gakpo doubled Liverpool’s advantage just seven minutes later with an easy finish from close range.
Nick Pope was sent off in the 22nd minute for handling the ball and denying a goal-scoring chance outside his penalty box which put Liverpool in a numerical advantage. Jurgen Klopp’s men controlled the game well and went into the half-time interval 2-0 up on the scoreline.
The Merseyside club sat on their healthy advantage well and cruised to a 2-0 victory on the road.
Let’s find out how each Liverpool player fared during the match against the Magpies.
GK: Alisson Becker – 7.5/10
The Brazilian talent made a few crucial saves at the back and secured a well-deserved clean sheet this evening.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8/10
He didn’t do much wrong at the back and managed to create some decent chances in the final third. Alexander-Arnold has got an assist to show for his efforts.
CB: Joe Gomez – 7/10
Gomez kept things solid at the back and earned an impressive clean sheet on the road.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 7/10
He made a lot of clearances on the defensive end of the field and did enough to keep the opposition attackers frustrated.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 7.5/10
Robertson was caught out of position at times but did his fair share of defending. He also engineered some inviting chances for his teammates from the left flank.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 7/10
He worked hard at the centre of the park but lacked quality in the final third.
CM: Fabinho – 7/10
Fabinho had a few bright moments in the game but was still far from convincing this evening.
CM: Stefan Bajcetic – 6.5/10
He linked up play well with others around him and got replaced in the 58th minute.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 7/10
Salah caused some headaches for the Newcastle defenders and picked up an assist for setting up Gakpo’s goal.
ST: Cody Gakpo – 7.5/10
The Dutch talent was not shy of having a strike at goal and managed to find the back of the net with a tidy finish from close range.
LW: Darwin Nunez – 7.5/10
His pace caused a lot of problems for the opposition. Nunez deserves credit for scoring the opener with a great finish.
Substitutes:
ST: Roberto Firmino – 6.5/10
He linked up play well with others around him.
LW: Diogo Jota – 6/10
Jota wasted some glorious chances to score.
CM: Harvey Elliott – 6/10
He added some energy to Klopp’s midfield.
CM: James Milner – 6.5/10
He made a few crunching tackles after coming off the bench.
