Liverpool beat ten man Newcastle to keep top four hopes alive

Liverpool scored twice in the first twenty minutes as they beat ten-man Newcastle United 2-0 at St James Park on Saturday night.

Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo scored for Jurgen Klopp’s side before Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope was sent off for a straight red as Liverpool kept their hopes alive for a top-four finish.

Newcastle Spurn Chances

It was Newcastle who should have scored in the fourth minute but Miguel Almiron was denied by Alisson Becker after having been played through on goal from Allan Saint-Maximin.

Liverpool took full advantage six minutes later when Trent Alexander Arnold found Darwin Nunez with a brilliant pass from the inside right half.

The Uruguayan striker chested the ball before thumping past Pope with a majestic finish to give his side the lead.

Gakpo then made it 2-0 in the 17^th minute following Mohammed Salah’s chipped pass opened up the Newcastle defense.

The Dutchman took a touch before slotting it past the onrushing Pope as Newcastle looked shaky in front of their home faithful.

Pope sent off

It soon went worse for the Magpies as the home side were reduced to ten men in the 22^nd minute.

As Pope rushed out of his box to claim Alisson’s long ball, the Englishman fell over and handled the ball receiving marching orders.

The Newcastle goalkeeper will now have to sit out of next week’s League Cup final against Manchester United which will come as a huge blow for Eddie Howe’s side.

To make matters worse, Martin Dubvarka is cup-tied having played for United in the competition earlier this season.

This means Newcastle will probably have to play third-choice keeper and former Liverpool player Lloris Karius in between the sticks in next week’s final.

Despite being down to ten men, the hosts had several opportunities of their own to score. It was Alisson however who kept them at bay denying Saint-Maximin by tipping the Frenchman’s effort on the bar.

Dan Burn also hit the post with a well-timed header before Fabian Schar nodded just wide from yards out in the second half.

Calum Wilson was then guilty of not scoring with only Alisson to beat after Anthony Gordon put him on a plate following a counterattack.

The Reds could have scored twice in the drying minutes of the game but Diego Jota and Roberto Firmino failed to hit the target within a space of minutes.

As Liverpool looked like their former selves to climb into eighth place, Newcastle have now been winless in their last four league games.

The Magpies are still in control of the Champions League berth, sitting in fourth but Liverpool could soon close the gap with just 6 points behind and have looked like they have their mojo back.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Propaganda Photo