The Reds concluded a historic season for the club in emphatic fashion with a 3-1 victory on their travel to Newcastle United. A season which will forever be etched in the history books of Liverpool FC, including a first Premier League title for the Merseyside club, was capped off with a comfortable win against the Magpies after going behind in only the first minute of the game.
Jurgen Klopp made wholesale changes in the starting lineup that took the pitch at the St. James’ Park. The front trio of Firmino, Mane, and Salah were all benched in favor of Minamino, Origi, and Oxlade Chamberlain. James Milner made his first start for the Reds since the club’s opening game of Project Restart, having recovered from a knock.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side were in for a shock in the opening minute of the game when Dwight Gayle made a clever run through the Reds’ defense before deflecting his shot into the back of the net off Alisson. The goal was given to the hosts following a lengthy VAR check to see whether Gayle was offside.
However, the remaining part of the first half was dominated by Liverpool FC to a large extent. An early chance fell Takumi Minamino’s way whose shot was superbly saved by Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka.
The Reds did level the game in the 38th minute when Alex Oxlade Chamberlain’s delivery into the box was headed loopingly by Virgil van Dijk into the goal. Chamberlain did have an opportunity to score just moments after his assist to Van Dijk, however, the 26-year old’s effort went wide off the post.
The initial period of the second half too was subject to Liverpool FC creating a flurry of chances. A wonderful display of attacking quality from Divock Origi led to the visitor’s second goal of the game, giving Jurgen Klopp’s side the lead. The Belgian striker’s effort curled past Dúbravka for his fourth league goal of the season.
The Liverpool FC boss then brought on Firmino, Mane, and Salah in a triple substitution for his side, replacing the front three that had started the game. Salah immediately got to work, with a number of chances falling his way upon his arrival on the pitch.
A neat pass from Gini Wijnaldum to the Egyptian was a decent opportunity for Salah to score his 20th goal of the Premier League season. However, the forward fluffed the chance through his terrible first-touch.
Sadio Mane, however, did manage to get on the scoresheet with a fantastic solo display by the Senegalese. He held off the Newcastle United defenders before striking a curling finish to put the match to bed for his side.
The victory secured by the Reds at St. James’ Park was the side’s 32nd of the league campaign, setting a new club record and equalling the current Premier League record set by Manchester City two seasons ago.
MATCH STATS
SCORE: 1-3
Possession: Newcastle United FC- 26% Liverpool FC- 74%
Yellow Cards: Newcastle United FC- 1 Liverpool FC- 0
Shots: Newcastle United FC- 3 Liverpool FC- 14
Offsides: Newcastle United FC- 3 Liverpool FC- 1
