Liverpool vs Newcastle LIVE: Result and reaction as the Reds extend their lead at the top of the Premier League
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle: Arne Slot’s side got over the line in comfortable fashion to extend their lead at the top once again
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 13 points as they breezed past Newcastle United 2-0 in another comprehensive victory.
The Reds started quickly at Anfield, with in-form Dominik Szoboszlai tucking past Nick Pope to open the scoring on 11 minutes.
The hosts continued to tick the ball about nicely for the majority of the first half - but that wasn’t to say the opening 45 minutes was devoid of Newcastle threat, with Callum Wilson having a pair of glorious opportunities to draw parity.
Those chances went abegging for the Magpies, who were punished after the break as Alexis Mac Allister fired into the top corner to give Liverpool breathing space - set up by Mohamed Salah, who registered his 42nd goal involvement in 28 league games.
That was enough for Arne Slot’s side to comfortably get over the line in their Carabao Cup final precursor - and with title rivals Arsenal dropping points once again at Nottingham Forest, the win took Liverpool an eye-watering 13 points clear at the Premier League’s pinnacle.
Relive all the action and reaction from Anfield here:
Liverpool’s midfield masterclass puts them on brink of Premier League title
Thirteen may be unlucky for some but surely not even misfortune can stop Liverpool now. As Arsenal stumbled, the leaders took another sizeable step towards the title. Thirteen points clear of their closest challengers after Newcastle’s annual defeat at Anfield, it is a question of when, not if.
A chorus of “Liverpool, top of the league,” followed the final whistle at Anfield, leading to another of “We’re going to win the league.” That looks a formality. It is already a mathematical certainty they will finish above Manchester United.
Liverpool’s midfield masterclass puts them on brink of Premier League title
Lewis Hall gives post-match thoughts for Newcastle
"Straight after the game it's hard to put your finger on what went wrong but I can't fault the work ethic of any of the players of this team,” Hall told Sky Sports.
“We will always give 100% but the goals we conceded were poor from our perspective. Apart from that we did well against a top side.
"I felt like in the box there were a few too many spare players but that's my initial reaction but I'll have to have a look at it.
"We did have chances in the game, a couple early on in the first half which if we put those away we change the outlook of the game.
“We're happy with the physical output and they're a top side. When you get chances you have to bury them and we didn't do that tonight."
Salah reaching heights rarely ever touched
Mohamed Salah has now assisted 17 goals from open play in the Premier League this season.
Only Thierry Henry in 2002-03 (20) has ever made more in a single campaign.
One of the greatest to ever do it in this league, no doubt.
Liverpool aren't celebrating the title yet, says Szoboszlai
“ After mathematically they have no chance to get us [then we’ll start to celebrate],” Szoboszlai told TNT Sports post-match.
“We are really happy that we are 13 points clear, but we will focus on ourselves.
“Now we have the Champions League. Game by game we are looking forward to stay on top.”
Liverpool firing on all fronts
Liverpool are the first Premier League side to score 100 goals across all competitions this season.
They also have now scored at least two goals in 18 consecutive games at Anfield in all competitions - the longest run of home games with more than one goal scored in succession by an English top-flight club since Sunderland from February-December 1935 (19).
Formidable going forward.
Liverpool move 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
That’s all she wrote!
Liverpool have won again as goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister help the Reds overcome Newcastle.
They’re now 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
90+6 mins: You’ll Never Walk Alone is ringing around Anfield.
All results considered, this has been another near-perfect night for your Premier League champions-elect.
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
90+3 mins: CLOSE! Cody Gakpo goes for the spectacular overhead kick, but the ball bounces wide.
Darwin Nunez then rushes the Newcastle defenders right away from the goal-kick, a moment the Anfield faithful loved. Maybe Slot’s got through to him.
Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
90 mins: GOAL DISALLOWED! Liverpool have the ball in the net once again, but it won’t count!
The Reds whip in a corner on top of Nick Pope, who jumps to collect under the pressure of Konate - only to spill it and see the ball prodded into the Newcastle net.
Pope is fortunate goalkeepers are protected some much in the lawbook, because there was very little in that.
The board is up. SEVEN minutes added on.
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