Newcastle United put in a spirited performance on Saturday to draw 1-1 with Liverpool to take another big step towards safety.
The Magpies fell behind thanks to an early goal from the Premier League’s top goalscorer Mo Salah, but rallied to take a point with Joe Willock scoring for a third straight game.
The loanee from Arsenal popped up right at the death to score, after VAR had ruled out a goal from Callum Wilson for handball.
It was a big result for the Toon, who are now nine points clear of Fulham with five games to go.
At Anfield, there were fantastic individual showings for the visitors, with Martin Dubravka and Allan Saint-Maximin the two standouts.
Both have been included in Alan Shearer’s latest Premier League Team of the Week, and the legend said of Saint-Maximin: “Liverpool couldn’t handle him. Every time Newcastle got the ball, it looked like he could hurt them.”
Shearer is not wrong – Saint-Maximin really did appear to frighten the Reds with his driving runs wherever he cropped up on the pitch.
Clear evidence of this was when Fabinho cynically shoulder barged him to the ground as he tried to burst away in the second-half.
It’s clear the £70,000-a-week talent (The Athletic) is playing with major confidence at the perfect time for Newcastle.
Saint-Maximin form key to Newcastle survival
The club are very nearly over the line now, and it’s huge thanks to Saint-Maximin that the Magpies have been able to pull away from danger.
The former Nice winger is just so threatening, and appears to have breathed confidence and belief into his teammates.
Should Newcastle soon confirm their Premier League status for 2021/21, the 24-year-old should get a big chunk of the plaudits.
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