Player ratings, fan reaction & more: Much-changed Liverpool edge out Newcastle to go top of Premier League

Result

Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off played out a short time ago. Said game saw Newcastle United play host to Liverpool.

Newcastle headed into the match looking to make it eight home league games unbeaten, whilst Liverpool were aware nothing but a win would suffice in their hunt for Premier League glory.

When all was said and done on Tyneside, it was Liverpool who came away with a massive three points.

Newcastle started the tie brightly, but Liverpool would take the lead 18 minutes in after a brilliant run and then finish from Naby Keita:

Wonderful feet from Naby Keita 😍

Liverpool take the lead and the Newcastle fans aren’t happy, but it looks like James Milner got his challenge just right… pic.twitter.com/1gdngbRXmb

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 30, 2022

The Reds were able to maintain their 1-0 lead and, as a result, are now top of the Premier League for at least the next few hours.

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Newcastle player ratings

Martin Dubravka (6) – Made a number of good saves to keep Newcastle in the game.

Emil Krafth (3.5) – Poor touch in the build-up to Liverpool’s opener.

Fabian Schar (4) – Struggled to deal with the pace of Liverpool’s attackers and was also poor in the air. Off after an hour due to injury.

Dan Burn (6) – A decent display from Burn, winning a number of aerial and ground duels. Was Newcastle’s best defender on the day.

Matt Targett (4) – Should have been tighter to Keita before he made it 1-0. Unable to deal with the pace of Diaz and Salah.

Jonjo Shelvey (3.5) – Lost possession on a number of occasions and had a hard time linking midfield and attack.

Joe Willock (4.5) – Really struggled to have any impact on the game in the first 45. Was brighter in the second half but his efforts still didn’t lead to a goal. Off after 66 minutes.

Bruno Guimaraes (4.5) – Like his midfield counterparts, Bruno was unable to impose himself on the game for the most part, being kept quiet by Milner and Henderson.

Miguel Almiron (5) – Scored towards the end of the first half but was offside. Did not have another shot on target during the 90 minutes.

Joelinton (4) – Spent much of the game isolated up top seeing very little of the ball. Was dropped into midfield later in the game but still did not have much of an impact.

Allan Saint-Maximin (4) – Was kept very quiet by Joel Matip and co.

Substitutes

Chris Wood (3) – Missed a big one-on-one before being flagged for offside.

Jamaal Lascelles (4) – Didn’t do much wrong when he came on.

Jacob Murphy (N/A)

Liverpool player ratings

Alisson (5) – Quiet but effective display from the Brazilian.

Joe Gomez (6.5) – Good defensive awareness to step up and make Almiron offside in the build-up to him scoring. Was decent going forward as well and should have had an assist 62 minutes in but Mane missed a big chance.

Joel Matip (7) – Made a number of good tackles and blocks throughout the clash.

Virgil van Dijk (6) – A quiet but solid display from the Dutchman.

Andy Robertson (6.5) – Solid showing from the left-back, showing great drive and passion to help Liverpool see out the game. Was not at his best offensively.

Jordan Henderson (7) – Good distribution of the ball in his deeper role on Saturday, including finding Keita before his goal.

James Milner (7) – Excellent tackle to win the ball in the build-up to the opening goal. Also helped control play and create chances with his long-range passing. A stellar showing from the veteran midfielder.

Naby Keita (7.5) – Started the tie brightly, bursting forward to help out offensively. Excellent driving run, quick feet and clever link-up to score Liverpool’s goal.

Sadio Mane (4.5) – Not his best display, missing a could of big chances that could have killed the game off.

Luis Diaz (6.5) – Flourished out of position on the right-wing, causing Targett all sorts of issues with his pace and quick feet. Should have had an assist in the first half but Sadio Mane wasted a good chance.

Diogo Jota (6.5) – Good link up with Keita for the opener. Had a couple of decent chances throughout the game but did not get his goal thanks to some decent saves from Dubravka.

Substitutes

Mohamed Salah (5) – Caused Newcastle a lot of issues when he came on.

Fabinho (5) – Helped Liverpool see out the game.

Thiago (N/A)

What the experts said

Naby Keita is enjoying his best PL goalscoring season since joining Liverpool in 2018:

3️⃣ – 21/22*
2️⃣ – 18/19
2️⃣ – 19/20
0️⃣ – 20/21

A big goal in the title race. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/TzEiHa08zo

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 30, 2022

In the opening 30 minutes vs Newcastle, Jordan Henderson ranked first on the pitch for both:

• passes completed (36)
• pass accuracy (95%)

Pinpoint. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/4RAUeNT6wG

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 30, 2022

Gómez defensively is 🔝🔝

— José enrique (@Jesanchez3) April 30, 2022

What the fans said

Hendo is such a good 6, always baffles me when people say he isn’t good there. I don’t remember a bad game tbh

— Eden (@theKloppEnd_) April 30, 2022

The tears from rival fans over a perfectly timed tackle from James Milner are wonderful.

— Samuel (@SamueILFC) April 30, 2022

Henderson and Keita just work.

— The Anfield Talk (@TheAnfieldTalk) April 30, 2022

Joel Matip’s positioning is absolutely unreal. Right place at the right time, every time.

— 🇵🇸 (@_JakeeLFC_) April 30, 2022

What you may have missed

Former Sunderland star Jordan Henderson booed by Newcastle fans:

Newcastle fans boo Jordan Henderson as he leaves the pitch.

Jordan Henderson loves it. pic.twitter.com/1dukuTAyS2

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 30, 2022

Click here to view our latest Premier League betting tips.

The Premier League table as it stands

Last updated: 1 min ago