Premier League: Liverpool wins in front of Newcastle (3-1) and remains on the heels of Manchester City

Stay the course, Liverpool knows how to do. The Reds have lined up a 6th consecutive Premier League victory against Newcastle (3-1) to keep pace with Manchester City, leaders by one point ahead. In his den at Anfield, Liverpool were surprised at the outset by a distant strike from Jonjo Shelvey. Jürgen Klopp’s men have hardly capitalized on a largely controlled first period, marked by the flamboyant Mohamed Salah, again scorer. The second act did not offer the same enthusiasm, the fault of the Magpies too limited to make a team falter in confidence.

Speaking of confidence would also be an understatement when we see Mohamed Salah playing at the moment. The Egyptian has multiplied the class gestures, like his hidden pass to offer the first opportunity to Diogo Jota, whose strike was rejected by Martin Dubravka (6th). Then Anfield fell silent: Thiago Alcantara’s missed recovery was punished by the 20-meter shot from Jonjo Shelvey, leaving a stunned Alisson on his line (7th, 0-1). What to stir up trouble in Liverpool? Not at all. The Reds offered an authentic ballet ball that they rarely returned (74% possession). Diogo Jota shot in the side net (19th) before logically equalizing in two stages, well served by Sadio Mané (21st, 1-1).

Salah, fifteen in a row

Allan Saint-Maximin tried well by exploiting his speed on the counterattack, and forced Alisson to a decisive parry after having deposited Ibrahima Konaté (23rd). Too light to stand up to ruthless Reds. The interception of Mané, on a bad pass back from Shelvey, benefited Salah (25th, 2-1), decisive in his last 15 Premier League matches, a record tied with Jamie Vardy. Sure of their strength, Klopp’s players have never lost the thread of the meeting against relegation magic for good reasons.

There was a dangerous free kick from Shelvey after half-time (71st), and it took a saving tackle from Alexander-Arnold to take away a clear opportunity for Ryan Fraser (64th). But there was also an impeccable Dubravka against Mané (56th, 81st) then on a distant attempt by Naby Keita (85th). Newcastle apparently lacked the weapons to punish the Reds’ mess. Alexander-Arnold himself whistled the end of the match with a missile with his right foot at 20 meters, full skylight (87th, 3-1).

Anfield did not see the best face of the best attack in the Premier League (48 goals after 17 days) this Thursday evening, but Manchester City and its small point lead in the standings has also been there. Not Chelsea, held in check by Everton at the same time (1-1), who are now three points behind Liverpool. The lights remain green for the Reds who travel to Tottenham this Sunday (5.30 p.m.). Finally, if the Covid-19 is willing …