Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle United: 5 Hits and Flops from the game | Premier League 2019-20 

Liverpool recorded their fifth win on the trot
Liverpool recorded their fifth win on the trot

A double from Sadio Mane and a couple of assists from Roberto Firmino guided Liverpool to their 14th consecutive Premier League victory, over Newcastle United. Jurgen Klopp's troops have looked the part so far in the competition with 15 points from five games.

Jetro Willems drew first blood for the Toons, but Liverpool responded in sublime fashion.

The game started in scrappy fashion, with as many as three fouls won in the opening five minutes. Both sides made a steady start in what looked like a long afternoon for the visitors, but Jetro Willems had other ideas as he rifled home a thunderous strike with his right foot to the top corner, to give Newcastle a surprise lead.

From then on, Steve Bruce's side sat back, defended in numbers and sheathed the entire final third with 10 men. One-way traffic was what we witnessed, as the Reds headed into the break with 80% possession.

Chances fell to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Divock Origi. The 27th minute of the game resulted in more questions than answers again, of VAR, who didn't intervene when Lascelles hauled Matip down in the box from a Liverpool corner.

However, Jurgen Klopp's side didn't seem to require the penalty to score two and lead. Both goals came off the boots of Sadio Mane, who continued his sensational form throughout the first 45 minutes.

Newcastle began the second half with more purpose, passing with a little more incision and getting the likes of Almiron and Shelvey into the game more often.

However, that became a thing of the past when Firmino began to dictate the pace of the game and bring all the men around him into play, with the most significant of those contributions being his lovely flick to Mohamed Salah for Liverpool's third.

Liverpool made it five out of five for this season, and 14 out of as many in the league.

On that note, we analyze five players who experienced contrasting fortunes on the afternoon at Anfield.


#5 Hit: Paul Dummett

Paul Dummett stuck to his task well against Liverpool
Paul Dummett stuck to his task well against Liverpool

Newcastle did concede three goals against the Reds, but one man proved to be their silver lining. And that man was Paul Dummett. Ever so decisive, ever so solid in his approach, the right centre-back covered ground quickly, prevented a few crosses and won almost everything in the air.

He was quick to make the extra yard, as seen in the exceptional block made during the first half when he prevented a close-range cross the opposition right back.

Further, Dummett put in a solid shift, making vital interventions whenever called upon. He was the man of the match against Spurs, and here again, the Welshman rose to the occasion.

#4 Flop: Martin Dubravka

You don't stop those.
You don't stop those.

Martin Dubravka hasn't quite lived up to his hype in a Newcastle shirt, one may argue. He's brilliant with his gloves; a shot-stopper who produces staggering stops in football matches.

However, while he was fine with the long passes and mopping up, Dubravka's save percentage was quite poor today.

He could have and should have, done better for the hosts' second goal. The Slovakian was guilty of quite a few things with respect to the goalkeeper's handbook.

First and foremost, he didn't quite step out of his line in time. Should a goalkeeper chose to charge and make himself big, he must do so with 100% conviction and purpose. Dubravka didn't completely shut Mane out there.

Secondly, himself, along with the defenders, should have communicated better. The ball ultimately ricocheted off a black and white shirt and fell kindly for Mane.

Lastly, you expect the 30-year-old to parry the shot away without any fuss. Ultimately and unfortunately, it didn't happen for Newcastle. They conceded the second and didn't make their way back into it. Had they completed the first half on level terms, it could have been a more fascinating second 45 minutes.

#3 Hit: Roberto Firmino

Roberto Firmino proved to be the master of puppets against Newcastle United
Roberto Firmino proved to be the master of puppets against Newcastle United

An honourable mention must first go to Fabinho, who was an absolute defensive wall ahead of the centre backs. Against a Newcastle side that defended in large numbers and packed all channels of the pitch, Fabinho ran the pace of the game, sprayed passes all around the pitch, was defensively switched for all 90 minutes and as safe as a house.

But, we simply couldn't resist from including the wily Roberto Firmino into this list, owing to his beautiful link-up play, positional awareness and willingness.

Firmino's willingness to lead the press high up the pitch awarded Mane and Salah more time to run with the ball and remain in their advanced positions. It was the Brazilian's moment that led to the second goal when he pickpocketed Atsu to play Mane in.

From then on, it was just poetry in action from Firmino, who tricked the opposition with his smooth passing and quick exchanges.

This page cannot be completed without mentioning Firmino's flick to Salah for the third goal. Fantastic piece of skill with both feet, rounded off with a backheel to the Egyptian who portrayed his excellence.

#2 Flop: Emil Krafth

Emil Krafth should have been more clinical going forward
Emil Krafth should have been more clinical going forward

A lot of us may feel this is a bit too harsh on the 25-year-old given other defensive errors made by the Magpies' midfield and centre backs, but Krafth was simply ordinary on both ends of the pitch.

First things first, the right-back, in a back five, was stretched out too often by the forwards. In the process of sticking to his designated position, the Swede left out a few gaps a little too often. As noticed in the first goal too, he should have been on his toes while tracking the movement and interchange between Mane and Robertson.

Playing in a five-man defence with protection ahead of him, Krafth should have been a bit more convincing in picking up loose balls or during duels.

It was he who won the two most glorious chance of the game when he made a smashing run into the box. Credit the wing-back for freeing up space for himself and running 60-70 yards, but against Liverpool at Anfield, he should have buried at least one chance.

Firstly, Shelvey played Almiron in behind Matip, who did extremely well to pull back for Joelinton. The striker laid it on a platter for Krafth, who saw his effort blocked. In a similar situation moments later, the Newcastle right-back blazed his shot well over the bar.

#1 Hit: Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane nets Liverpool's second of the afternoon
Sadio Mane nets Liverpool's second of the afternoon

Senegalese forward Sadio Mane lifted his recent form to a new dimension as he single-handedly brought his side back in the game with two goals in the first half.

The winger started centrally among the trio - himself, Origi and Mohamed Salah. He was always a willing runner, who occupied good positions when the likes of Alexander-Arnold and Oxlade-Chamberlain whipped crosses in.

It was his trickery first up, that caught the eye. Little dinks, change of pace and exquisite dribbling helped him skip away from defenders. However, it was Mane's tactical acumen that stood out, as he smartly manned a variety of advanced positions, as seen in the first goal.

It all looked like a smooth, easy passage of passing from Liverpool, before Mane himself made a cracking run, received the ball and produced a world-class finish. Boy, he's growing in that aspect of his game, week-by-week.

Another important part of the 27-year-old's splendid performance was how he enjoyed more space than his fellow forwards; such was his choice of positioning. The press was as good as always, but Roberto Firmino's inclusion handed Mane that little bit of extra freedom.

The second goal may seem like a lucky break for Liverpool, but it's important to note that the goal was more technical than flamboyant. It was a typical press from Firmino and two midfield players, which in turn resulted in the second.

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Edited by Zaid Khan