PLAYER RATINGS: LIVERPOOL 3-1 NEWCASTLE

Liverpool hosted Eddie Howe’s Newcastle tonight and produced a spirited comeback to win 3-1. Jonjo Shelvey had given the Magpies a shock lead but Diogo Jota equalised, before Mohamed Salah completed the comeback before halftime. Alexander-Arnold sealed the win late on. Read on for player ratings.

Alisson – 6.5

Had his view blocked for Shelvey’s shot and was left rooted to the spot. Made up for that with a strong handed save low to his right after Saint-Maximin had broken free. Saw a few passes charged down and almost collided with Saint-Maximin on the edge of the box after the forward had sprung the offside trap again. He was otherwise untroubled after that.

Alexander-Arnold – 9

Created several chances for his teammates through his insane range of passing and his wicked deliveries from set pieces. Played am incisive pass to Mané in the buildup to the equaliser. Produced an incredible last ditch tackle to thwart Fraser who looked set to tap home a cross from Murphy. He got tired of the game still being in the balance and decided to end it as a contest with a rocket of a goal from outside the box. MOTM.

Matip – 8

Wandered upfield a lot in the opening exchanges and caused mayhem in the Newcastle backline. Played some lovely disguised passes through the lines. He tried to step up and play Saint-Maximin offside every time and it never really worked. Felled Wilson when he threatened to break late on. Stood up to the Newcastle threat on the counter well as the game grew.

Konaté – 9

He came across to deal with Saint-Maximin for their opener but allowed him to cut inside easily and find the pass. He adapted to the challenge as the game grew. Second half he was immense. Read the game wonderfully and halted counter attacks almost single handedly at times. Should have scored first half when he mistimed his jump for a header when free in the box.

Robertson – 6.5

Quiet tonight. No real end product to speak of, with his deliveries from set pieces not up to the usual standard. Offered an option out wide most of the game and made clever runs into the box to get on the end of Mané’s passes inside the channel. A few decent cutbacks went unrewarded.

Henderson – 7

Saw a lot of the ball but I’m not sure he did much with it. Had chances to shoot on more than two occasions and passed wide instead. That can be very frustrating when the tippy tappy football isn’t getting the job done. He played high up the pitch even though he was the DM, interchanging with Thiago at times. Kept the ball moving.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5.5

Another start here in his favoured position and it was yet another letdown. He was ineffective, running down blind alleys and losing the ball cheaply. After a strong run down the right second half, he lofted his cross into the stands. That just summed him up. Has a tendency to get his head down when running with the ball. He misses so many passing options as a result. Played one lovely volleyed ball through to Salah first half. As good as it got.

Thiago – 6.5

Wobbly start as he gave the ball away on the edge of the Newcastle box. They broke, and to his credit he recovered to intercept a cross on the edge of his own box. He then toed it straight to Shelvey who hit a sweet strike past Alisson. Then he passed it straight to Saint-Maximin on the halfway line and Alisson had to come to the rescue. Settled though and kept the ball moving. Played several passes through gaps that were barely there.

Salah – 8

He looked in the mood first half as his teammates kept finding him. Some of the touches were jaw dropping. A first time outside of the boot curled pass into the box for Mané to attack was simply out of this world. Took his goal like the poacher he is. It spelled danger every time he got on the ball. Was quieter second half but it was still surprising to see him subbed off.

Jota – 7

Got on the end of a cute Salah backheel and spun before shooting at Dubravka. Then got the equaliser after his initial header had been kept out by the keeper. Took a snapshot volley on the edge of the box as the ball broke loose. Toepoked another loose ball straight at Dubravka through a crowd of defenders. His linkup play wasn’t quite at the required levels but it’s good to see him back amongst the goals.

Mané – 7.5

He may not have scored or even got credited with an assist, but he spurred the comeback on. His pick out to Jota at the backpost led to the equaliser. Then he read Shelvey’s backpass and intercepted, riding a strong challenge from Fernandez, before getting his shot away whilst off balance. Salah was on hand to tuck the rebound home. Second half he tired as it wore on, but he was still in and around their box trying to force an opening.

Substitutes

Keita – 7

A very bright cameo by the Guinean international. He immediately got in the swing of things as he linked up well with Mané and Jota. Tried to catch Dubravka out with a shot but the keeper did well to backtrack and make the save. Naby pressed hard, won the ball back and looked threatening in and around the Newcastle box. A welcome return to action.

Firmino – 6

Looked rusty, understandably so after so long out. Great to see him back though, and he was up to his old tricks, dropping deep to get on the ball to try and set us on our way.

Milner – N/A

Uncharacteristically gave the ball away once or twice. Shame he didn’t boot anyone in the air this time round.

Jurgen Klopp

With Van Dijk and Fabinho (in addition to Curtis Jones) being out with suspected positive Covid tests, the manager plumped for Konaté and Ox as replacements. He saw his side go down early but they responded brilliantly to lead at halftime. He then brought on fresh legs midway through the second half as he watched his side notch an eight straight win.