LIVERPOOL took the Premier League title race to the final day of the season after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
It looked as though the Reds would slip up for long periods after strikes from Newcastle’s Christian Atsu and Salomon Rondon, but for all of the talk of a lack of squad depth, it was substitute Divock Origi with yet another late goal from a dubious free-kick, with help of a Jamaal Lascelles deflection, which proved decisive. Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah had put them ahead at half-time.
Their superb spirit looked to be tested in the second-half particularly, and they rode their luck with a potential red card against Trent Alexander-Arnold when Newcastle first levelled, but they came through to continue the most remarkable of battles at the top of the table.
Jurgen Klopp was proud of his players’ handling of the pressure in what he called a “proper” game.
“Newcastle gave us a proper game, unbelievable,” he said.
“In our situation, some people probably expected us to show a bit of nerves but the boys didn’t, it was just a difficult game for different reasons.
“I liked the reaction of the boys, I didn’t see any major concerns apart from that we conceded a goal which is not cool.”
Sadio Mane was causing problems early on for Liverpool, and his work indirectly led to the opener for the visitors. Found on the right at every opportunity, he crossed for Salah, who won a corner. Unmarked in the box, Van Dijk powered Liverpool into the lead from the resulting kick.
Seven minutes later, Newcastle equalised. Matt Ritchie crossed for Rondon, whose shot appeared to be blocked by Alexander-Arnold’s arm, but Atsu fired in the rebound.
Perhaps Newcastle would have preferred a red card and penalty for the defender because just after Ayoze Perez smacked the bar, he crossed brilliantly for Salah to finish expertly with his right foot.
With just over half an hour gone, Martin Dubravka thwarted Mane one-on-one with an excellent save, but the pendulum continued to swing before half time.
Chances were exchanged after the break, and the intensity didn’t slow. Rondon struck nine minutes into the second half, hammering home on the half-volley after Liverpool originally cleared from a corner.
Not one to be easily panicked, Klopp made a change, bringing off former Magpies midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for Xherdan Shaqiri. He was forced into a second change when Salah was stretchered off and replaced by Origi.
Every tick of the clock raised the visitors’ anxiety levels, and though lengthy stoppage time was on the horizon they looked unable to convert possession into genuine chances. In fact, through Atsu and Rondon, Newcastle still carried a threat on the break.
But yet again, Liverpool struck late through their substitutes. Shaqiri’s free-kick was flicked goalwards by Origi, and it was helped in via a deflection from Lascelles.
Rafa Benitez was far from happy with his side’s defending on the night, especially from three set-pieces.
“We could avoid it [defeat],” he said.
“The third goal was not a foul. The other two we could do much better. You play against a good team and concede three set-pieces, it’s disappointing. You cannot make these mistakes.”
