Newcastle United have fallen to a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in an ominous preview of the Carabao Cup final.
Eddie Howe’s side were at a disadvantage before the fixture even got underway as star striker Alexander Isak missed out due to fitness concerns.
Liverpool immediately took the ascendency and pinned Newcastle United down deep into their own half. It was only a matter of time before they took the lead and the first goal came in the 11th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai’s tame shot trickled over the line.
The Reds threatened to run away with things but Newcastle managed to get a foothold into the match and Callum Wilson should have equalised but squandered his glorious opportunity.
Newcastle continued to battle hard in a scrappy second half but Liverpool doubled their lead after the hour mark with Alexis Mac Allister’s sweeping finish.
The Magpies competed throughout and were always in the game but never really touched a glove on the imperious Premier League leaders.
With the team’s meeting at Wembley next month for the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool have the psychological advantage after their win.
Here’s how the players rated.
Nick Pope – 4
Yet more poor goalkeeping from Nick Pope as he allowed a weak shot to go over the line, even if there was a slight deflection, that he should have saved. The referee saved Pope from yet more embarrassment when the whistle blew for a soft foul to disallow a third goal after he made a mess of catching a corner.
With more nervy moments on the ball and saves into dangerous areas, he is still struggling to justify his place in the side over Martin Dubravka.
Tino Livramento – 5
Tried to hold his own against the rapid and skilful Luis Diaz and did so on occasions, but Liverpool got so much joy down his flank.
Fabian Schar – 4
Another shaky display from the usually reliable Swiss. Fabian Schar didn’t put any pressure at all on Diaz as he approached the box to set up the opener and made a couple of wild challenges. Will count his lucky stars the referee blew up for a foul after he allowed Diogo Jota to turn him and go through, too.
Dan Burn – 6
On hand to make some big blocks, well-timed tackles and interceptions when the backs were against the wall.
Lewis Hall – 6.5
After being involved in all four goals against Nottingham Forest, this was a much more defensive display from Lewis Hall but he still impressed. Mohammed Salah was kept fairly quiet in the first half, with the left-back twice making crucial interceptions to stop him from getting the ball in threatening positions.
Salah finally worked his magic to set up the second goal and started to dominate Hall afterwards but there’s nothing any defender could do against a player in such form.
Bruno Guimaraes – 4
Strolled past on too many occasions, even by centre-back Ibrahima Konate at one point, as Liverpool cut through Newcastle’s midfield several times. Didn’t get close enough to Mac Allister as he scored and wasn’t effective on the ball.
Sandro Tonali – 3
Tracked Szoboszlai’s run in the box but didn’t notice when the midfielder held back to create space to score. A real lack of awareness from a player of such defensive prowess who should know better.
Sandro Tonali was then at fault for the second goal when he carelessly gave the ball away for Liverpool to race forward and double the lead.
He tried to drive Newcastle forward when he did win the ball but struggled to get a foot on it that often as Liverpool knocked it about with ease. Perhaps his recent injury issue is still bothering him because this is not the Tonali Newcastle fans have loved watching this season.
Joe Willock – 5
Completely snuffed out of the game as he hardly touched the ball before being taken off but did work hard and didn’t make mistakes like his midfield cohorts.
Jacob Murphy – 5
Repeatedly got himself into good positions down the right but wasted them as his delivery was not good enough in the opening 45 minutes. Improved with some better crosses after the break that did worry Liverpool’s defence.
Callum Wilson – 4
It’s never easy coming in to replace a player as good as Isak, especially when it’s your first Premier League start of the season, but the drop off in quality with Wilson leading the line was obvious.
He worked incredibly hard, mucking in defensively, always looking to run in behind the defence and making smart runs, but he just isn’t the focal point Isak has become.
Wilson was unable to pick the ball up in deep positions and either carry it forward or link up with his fellow forward. Newcastle’s attack was disjointed and off-kilter as a result.
It didn’t help matters that he missed two glorious chances and the off-side flag only saved his blushes for one of them.
Anthony Gordon – 5
Given Jeremy Doku dribbled past Trent Alexander-Arnold 12 times on Sunday, it’s bewildering that Anthony Gordon didn’t go at the right-back with his own skill on the ball. Delivered some teasing crosses but should have done so much more against a defensive weak link.
Substitutes
Harvey Barnes – 5
Didn’t see much of the ball.
William Osula – 5
No real chances came his way.
Lewis Miley – 5
Could do little to change the game.
Kieran Trippier – 5
Helped ensure Liverpool didn’t get another.
Sean Longstaff – 5
Came on with a few minutes to go.
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