Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool: 5 Talking Points

#4 Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon continue to impress

Rondon was a constant handful for Liverpool to defend against, while Ayoze was tenacious and creative

Newcastle's two chief attacking forces - one creator, the other a finisher - both were good in stages but ultimately it wasn't enough.

Ayoze, as usual, was tenacious in his attempts to try and bring his side forward despite Liverpool's early insistence to silence a lively Geordie crowd. Although he clearly tried, he unsurprisingly found himself frustrated as the visitors were often double-teaming him and forcing him into mistakes, either poor pass choices or opting for safer options under pressure.

He showed great technique and was unfortunate to only hit the crossbar after unleashing a sweetly-struck volley in the first-half, but faded as Matt Richie and Christian Atsu in particular were pulling the strings down the opposite flank.

Rondon meanwhile, really should have scored their first goal - failing to strike cleanly meant Alexander-Arnold could block it - but ultimately made amends with an emphatic finish which arrowed into the bottom corner with aplomb after the break.. Unsurprisingly, the 29-year-old was a constant handful for Liverpool's backline to deal with, unfazed by van Dijk and Lovren, while the goal itself was on his weaker left foot too!

Both players work tirelessly for their side and although their shortcomings in the final third are magnified in games like these, they have been improving and ultimately need more quality teammates around them.

Perez has made public the possibility that he'll be leaving this summer with offers abroad on the table of a reported £25m. Meanwhile, it's easy to forget about Rondon's situation as he's enjoying his best goalscoring campaign in the Premier League. Parent club West Brom are in the Championship playoffs and there's no guarantee he'll remain in the top-flight next term, despite his undeniable qualities.