Liverpool moved above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League courtesy of a 1-0 win over Newcastle United this afternoon at St James’ Park.
Naby Keita scored the game’s only goal in the first half with a well-crafted move of his own making.
He combined with Diogo Jota before rounding Martin Dubravka to score the decisive effort.
The Reds had chances to kill the game off, but Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah missed second-half opportunities.
However, the visitors were untroubled at the back and held out comfortably for the three points.
Starting lineup:
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Martin Dubravka; Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Matt Targett; Joe Willock, Jonjo Shelvey, Bruno Guimaraes; Miguel Almiron, Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin.
NEWCASTLE SUBS: Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascelles, Matti Ritchie, Javier Manquillo, Chris Wood, Jacob Murphy, Karl Darlow, Dwight Gayle, Sean Longstaff.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita; Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz.
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Fabinho, Ibrahima Konate, Thiago, Mohamed Salah, Curtis Jones, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott.
Goals:
KEITA PRODUCES A COMPOSED FINISH!!!! 1-0 LIVERPOOL!!!!! Keita does exceptionally well in the final third to play a one-two with Jota before rounding Dubravka to fire home. Milner starts the move with a delicate challenge on Schar to win the ball on the slide. Next, Liverpool works the ball to the right flank, where Keita goes for the give-and-go with Jota, who releases him with a sublime pass. There is still work for the midfielder, but he creates the angle to round Dubravka before firing past two players on the line with his left foot.
So, what’s next?
Liverpool faces Villarreal in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash on Tuesday.
Newcastle United is next in action in the Premier League next Sunday, away to Manchester City.
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