Liverpool achieved their first victory in the Premier League for 2026, after beating Newcastle 4:1 at "Anfield", reported sportal.bg.
This well-deserved success brought the champions within a point of fourth place, which is currently occupied by Chelsea. "The Magpies" are already six points behind their current opponent. Otherwise, Newcastle started enthusiastically and took the lead with a goal by Anthony Gordon (36'), who could have been sent off early on, as was the case in the match between the two teams at the beginning of the season. However, Hugo Ekitike (41', 43') made a complete turnaround with two goals in two minutes. After the break, Florian Wirtz (67'), who had set up the first goal, decided everything with another goal in the last minute. Ibrahima Konate shaped the final score in the last seconds.
During the week, both teams performed well in the most prestigious club competition, after Liverpool defeated Qarabag 6-0, and Newcastle drew 1-1 with PSG in the French capital.
"The Magpies" remain with only three away wins since the start of the season. In August, Liverpool defeated Newcastle at "St. James's Park" after a winning goal by Rio Ngumoa in the tenth minute of added time. The Merseysiders are unbeaten at "Anfield" from this opponent in the last 30 league clashes.
Arne Slott made two changes compared to Wednesday's match. Milos Kerkes and Ibrahima Konate returned to the starting line-up, replacing Andrew Robertson and Jeremy Frimpong, who was injured. Dominik Szoboszláj operated at right-back, which is not his first time this season.
Eddie Howe made three adjustments - Kieran Trippier, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon started for the visitors. They replaced Boatman, Miley and Voltemade.
"The Magpies" started more actively at "Anfield", but acted very aggressively, especially Anthony Gordon, who received a red card in the last match between the two teams. In the ninth minute, the winger elbowed McAllister in the chest. The Argentine fell to the grass, clutching his throat, but the situation passed without consequences. Shortly after, Gordon stepped sharply at Alisson's feet and this time received a yellow card.
Liverpool gradually began to attack more actively. In the 17th minute, Ekitike shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Pope saved without a problem.
Shortly after, Salah broke away from the right, overtook Trippier and entered the penalty area, but instead of shooting, he decided to feint and the visitors' full-back took the ball away from him.
In the 20th minute, Gordon broke through from the left and tried to pass to Barnes, who was in a very dangerous position, but Van Dijk intervened very well and intercepted.
In the 25th minute, Newcastle were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. Hall tapped the ball to Barnes, who shot well, but his shot hit the post.
Ekitike missed his clearest chance yet in the 32nd minute, when he was well brought down by Gravenberch. The Frenchman, however, tried to cross to Pope from a tight angle, which was impossible to do.
Liverpool pressed in this period, but then conceded a goal. The visitors organised a counterattack, Willock advanced down the left, passed to Barnes, then the ball happily ricocheted off McAllister's foot and found itself in the path of Gordon, who turned well for a corner.
Ekitike, however, took matters into his own hands. In the 41st minute, Wirtz received a pass from Gravenberch on the edge of the penalty area, went between three opponents and returned it to Ekitike, who stretched out his leg and from six meters scored for 1:1.
Two minutes later, Ekitike took the ball after a long pass from Kerkez on the left, advanced, left Tiau behind and elegantly sent the ball into the far corner for 2:1.
Liverpool started the second half better. In the 50th minute, Byrne made a mistake in a seemingly harmless situation and this gave Ekitike a chance to get into a clean sheet again. This time, however, the Frenchman's shot into the far corner was off target and he missed a huge opportunity to complete his hat-trick.
In the 60th minute, Liverpool were once again on the verge of conceding a goal from a set piece. Trippier's free-kick was deflected towards Barnes, who fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner, but Alisson reacted brilliantly to clear. The linesman then raised his flag, meaning there would have been no goal in any case.
Liverpool took a big step towards victory in the 67th minute. Thibaut made a mistake, which set up the home side's attack, and Wirtz exchanged quick passes with Salah, who then fired the ball very accurately into the far post.
Salah missed a great chance to score shortly afterwards, shooting wide from close range.
In added time, Ibrahima Konate, who recently lost his father and missed Liverpool's last few games, scored only his second Premier League goal. Pope dropped the ball after a corner and the Frenchman sent it into his own net. Liverpool have now scored ten goals in their last two games.