Newcastle vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Naby Keita nets winner
Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool: Follow reaction as the Reds edge past the Magpies to leapfrog Man City atop the Premier League table
Naby Keita ensured Liverpool’s quadruple hopes remain very much alive as he fired them to victory at in-form Newcastle to keep up the pressure on Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
Keita’s assured first-half finish was enough to claim a 1-0 win at St James’ Park on a day when Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was able to rest Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah from his startling line-up ahead of Tuesday’s decisive Champions League semi-final trip to Villarreal.
Liverpool might - and probably should - have won more comfortably in front of a boisterous crowd of 52,281 as they held the upper hand for much of a contest which saw the Magpies’ hopes of a fifth successive league win and a seventh on the trot at home wilt in the face of almost constant pressure.
Eddie Howe’s men were never able to build up the kind of head of steam which has eased them clear of the relegation battle, perhaps a reminder of how far they have to go before they can once again compete with English football’s best on a sustained basis.
Follow all the reaction from a crucial Reds win at St James’ Park below:
Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
54 mins: Guimaraes finds Saint-Maximin with an intelligent pass into the right channel. The Newcastle man’s first touch is poor and Matip can nick it from under his feet before drawing a free-kick for Liverpool.
The home fans are furious but moments later win a free-kick of their own as Matip commits a foul. This is Jonjo Shelvey range. Left of centre, 25 yards from goal.
Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
52 mins: YELLOW! Willock turns Gomez on the touchline and the Liverpool defender cynically brings him down. Gets a yellow card for his troubles.
Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
52 mins: Liverpool break at the other end as Jota lays it off to Diaz and his effort deflects behind for a corner.
Milner sends the set-piece into the middle and it drops for Keita but his shot is blocked by Shelvey.
Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
50 mins: Almiron finds some space on the flank and sends a wicked delivery into the box which Matip does well to head clear.
Saint-Maximin then tries to dribble beyond three Liverpool shirts on the edge of the box but Milner does enough to ensure he loses control of it.
Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
48 mins: Gomez drives down the right and pulls the ball back for Diaz but he can’t get it under control and Willock pinches possession. He drives out of his own box and Keita commits the foul.
Liverpool dominating the ball again in the opening minutes of the second half.
Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
46 mins: Back underway at St James’ Park. Liverpool get the ball rolling for the second period.
Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
The players are back out on the pitch. We are nearly ready for the second half. Can Newcastle do anything to halt this remarkable Liverpool run?
Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
Not that you need reminding, but Liverpool will move two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with a win here at St James’ Park.
Manchester City then have the opportunity to respond at Elland Road against Leeds this evening.
Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
Newcastle are still in this game. But with Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Thiago, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones all on the substitutes bench, it does look rather bleak.
Such strength in depth now for Klopp.
Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
HT: There is the half-time whistle. Naby Keita’s strike in the 19th minute separates the two sides. It was lovely play between the goalscorer and Diogo Jota before he sat Martin Dubravka down and fire the ball beyond the Newcastle players on the line.
Newcastle were unhappy as they felt James Milner fouled Fabian Schar in the build-up, but VAR Mike Dean agreed that the goal could stand.
Jota went close for Liverpool with a superb header which Dubravka tipped over the top. Miguel Almiron had a goal correctly disallowed for offside.
Liverpool lead at the break.
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