Main Mane
Liverpool got through an awkward start to get their 14th consecutive league win, as they won the Saturday early kickoff 3-1 at Anfield, against Steve Bruce's Newcastle, aided by two goals from Sadio Mane.
Liverpool made a couple of changes to the side that beat Burnley 3-1 at Turf Moor before the international break. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, came in for the captain Jordan Henderson and Divock Origi started, as Roberto Firmino needed rest as he played in both of Brazil's games and only returned on Thursday.
Newcastle, took the lead in the 7th minute through Dutch full back Jetro Willems, who found himself in space after a pass from Christian Atsu. Willems did a tidy little turn, as Trent Alexander-Arnold gave him too much room before unleashing a fierce shot into the top corner. Adrian did not know what had hit him. An early setback for Liverpool, but the crowd were still in good voice as the Reds had not lost at home since 2017. Liverpool kept on being caught offside early on, so Origi and Mane switched positions in hope of finding morel, as they struggled to get in behind Newcastle's back 5. A controversial moment came when; Joel Matip was being held on a corner, but no penalty was given, one thought that was what VAR was there for. The officials were spared the embarrassment however, as when Liverpool next got into Newcastle's box they scored. In the 28th minute Andy Robertson drove forward and found Mane, who got the ball out of his feet, and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner. In the 36th minute, Origi, who had taken an early fall when he was near the touchline a few minutes into the game, had to be taken off and was replaced by Firmino. So, the Brazilian was not to have as much rest as Klopp would have wanted, but the change ended up defining the match. Liverpool's main threat had been coming from wide on the left when Mane went over there, but Firmino now gave them a cutting edge in the centre. In the 39th minute, Matip and Firmino trapped Atsu in the middle of the park, Firmino slipped a nicely weighted pass through for Mane, who seemed to pull out of trying to kick the ball, but Martin Dubravka in the Newcastle goal made a mess of coming off of his line and the ball broke for Mane, who put the ball into the empty net, 2-1. So Liverpool were now in the lead, but ironically Dubravka did not have to make his first save until just before half time.
Liverpool continued forcing the issue after the break, and Georginio Wijnaldum went close as he lifted a volley onto the roof of the net. Fabian Schar was lucky to be on the pitch, as his loose challenge was somehow avoided by Sadio Mane, so he escaped punishment, he did injure himself making the lunge and later had to come off. The Magpies almost drew level in the 54th minute, when Atsu turned Oxlade-Chamberlain inside-out and then the crossed the ball to the back post, Liverpool failed to pick up Emil Krafth, but he could only blast the ball well over, huge chance. Liverpool came staight up the other end and Alexander-arnold almost added to the lead, but Dubravka was alert. Dubravka, a little later on also denied a Firmino header and kept out Robertson, after he had played a nice one-two with Firmino. Newcastle were somehow still only one goal down as Virgil van Dijk's header was cleared off the line in the 68th minute. Liverpool were not to be denied their 3rd goal however, as in the 72nd minute; Firmino produced lovely bit of skill as controlled the ball and rolled it onto his other foot, where his precise back flick sent Mo Salah away and he got away from his man and cooly slotted into the far side of the goal past Dubravka, 3-1, done and dusted. Dubravka made another save late on to deny Alexander-Arnold again and Mane had a goal rightfully ruled out for offside.
So Liverpool got the job done again at Anfield, and by the end of the game the score actually party flattered Bruce's men. Willems' goal came maybe just too early for Newcastle to expect to hang on, but Bruce can be proud of the effort of his men in defeat.
@DubulDee
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