Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle United
Liverpool have made it a record 14th consecutive Premier League win as a first-half brace from Sadio Mane turned this game against Newcastle on its head.
The Magpies had a mountain to climb at Anfield but they went into a shock lead when Jetro Willems smashed in the opener. But Mane hit back to put the Reds in the lead before Mo Salah added a third to keep Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool top of the league with a maximum five wins from five.
The Premier League 2019 betting odds have Manchester City as a clear favourite to make it three consecutive league titles, but Pep Guardiola’s team might have to be near-perfect yet again to hold off the Reds.
Highlights of the game
Newcastle sprung a major surprise in the seventh minute by going ahead. Christian Atsu took down a long ball and laid it off to Jetro Willems and the Dutchman moved it onto his right foot before firing a thunderbolt beyond Adrian into the top corner.
Nobody in Anfield expected that and the crowd did its best to lift the league leaders by roaring them on.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain raided down the right wing and crossed for Mane, who headed over. The Reds came closer when Mane chipped over a ball which Divock Origi nodded narrowly wide. Joel Matip then thought he’d been dragged down in the penalty area, but VAR didn’t even look at it.
But as the pressure finally became too much, the Geordies cracked. It was a brilliant goal from Mane to level things up, as he took a pass from Andy Robertson and curled the ball into the top corner.
Then it was all Liverpool and on 40 minutes the hosts went ahead, and it was Mane again who took his chance after Roberto Firmino slid the ball through. Martin Dubravka raced off his line, but the ball rebounded to Mane, who strolled through to tap it into the net and give Liverpool a half-time lead.
Georginio Wijnaldum came within inches of stretching Liverpool’s lead early in the second half, but his superbly hit shot flew just over Dubravka’s bar.
Newcastle weren’t yet beaten, though, and had a glorious chance when Atsu found Emil Krafth in acres of space. But the full-back could only blaze his shot high over Adrian’s bar.
Firmino almost created a goal for Robertson with a beautiful flick over the top but Dubravka got a crucial touch to the Scot’s cross-shot and diverted it wide. And the Brazilian was at it again on 72 minutes with a delightful flick on to Salah, who raced into the penalty area and finished with ease to double Liverpool’s lead.
As the clock ticked down Mane thought he’d tapped in his hat-trick bit was flagged offside and had to settle for two!
Key statistics
Liverpool made it a record 13th successive Premier League victory away to Burnley before the international break, and few punters were backing against them making it 14.
At pre-match SBOBET odds of 1.15, there was never really much doubt in this result, but Newcastle gave everyone an early jolt before Mane sprung into action.
This was the 50th meeting between these two sides in the Premier League era; Liverpool now lead the head to head wins by 29 to 11 and have not lost at home to Newcastle on the last 25 occasions.
Liverpool have now scored 100 Premier League goals against Newcastle and while Firmino was in scintillating form, it is his two strike partners who made the headlines.
The Reds have never lost a game at Anfield when Sadio Mane has scored; they’ve won 33 of his last 35 home games when the Senegalese striker has scored, drawing the other two.
And Mo Salah has been involved in 50 Premier League goals at Anfield, scoring 36 and assisting in 14.
What’s next?
Having completed the first match of the weekend, Liverpool and Newcastle can now keep an eye on the Premier League 2019 updates as they roll in.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have a huge week ahead as they begin the defence of their Champions League crown with a tough test away to Serie A’s Napoli. And that is followed by a trip to London to take on Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.
Next week, the Magpies are at home to Brighton. That’s a real six-pointer as both will be prepared for a long, hard season. The following week, Steve Bruce takes his side to the King Power Stadium, where Top Six chasers Leicester City will be waiting.
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