Liverpool – Archyde.com
Liverpool returned to the top of the English Premier League temporarily on Saturday, winning following a great effort away from Newcastle United, with a goal without reply, scored by midfielder Naby Keita in the 19th minute, to intensify the struggle for the title.
Liverpool raised its score to 82 points from 34 games, and two points ahead of defending champion Manchester City, who can regain first place later on Saturday when they meet with Leeds United at the latter’s stadium.
Newcastle United occupies ninth place among the twenty teams in the championship, with 43 points.
After wasting an early opportunity for Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool managed to advance when Keita scored once morest Martin Dubravka, the hosts’ goalkeeper, following a wonderful understanding with Diogo Jota.
Liverpool, who is preparing for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final once morest Villarreal next Tuesday, started today’s match without its Egyptian attacking star Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but their absence did not affect him much following controlling play from the beginning.
With Liverpool dominating the play, Newcastle got their biggest chance in the first half when Miguel Almiron sent the ball into the visitors’ net following his colleague Bruno Guimaraes passed it to him before the goal was canceled for offside.
In the second half, Liverpool got several chances, but failed to add any goal following Dubravka successfully countered the attempts of Jota and the substitute Salah.