Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle United Player Ratings: Arne Slot watches from the stands as his players edge closer to the title

Liverpool have managed to extend their lead to 13 points at the top of the table with a win over Newcastle United. The Reds got some help from Nottingham Forest today, who held Arsenal to a goalless draw around the same time the Anfield side grabbed all three points.

Dominik Szobozlai scored an early goal in the game to send the home fans to another level of joy. Luis Diaz sprang down the left-left and eased past the Newcastle United defenders before cutting the ball into the box, where the Liverpool midfielder was standing unmarked at the penalty spot. He slotted the ball through Dan Burn’s legs and the ball rolled past a helpless Nick Pope.

Callum Wilson was put through on goal just minutes later, but his effort was well wide of the target. However, the Magpies star was saved his blushes by the offside flag going up. The striker had another chance to score in the first half and level things up, but he somehow managed to put the ball well wide of the far post in a one-on-one situation with Alisson.

The scoreline remained the same until half time and no changes were made by both managers at the break. The second half started with Dominik Szoboszlai on the floor after getting smashed in the face by a freekick from Anthony Gordon just 2 minutes in.

Mohamed Salah was on fire on the right flank once again, but he was just unable to get a shot away as Lewis Hall did well to defend him throughout the game. The Egyptian ensured he got at least an assist and put the ball on the plate for Alexis Mac Allister to score just after the hour mark.

Liverpool held on and managed to get the 2-0 win. Here are Liverpool vs Newcastle United Player Ratings.

Liverpool Player Ratings

GK – Alisson Becker – 6.5

He did not have to do much today and was hardly troubled in the first half. Had to charge out twice and had to make just a single save in the game.

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7

He did not charge forward as usual and was trying to create chances from the deep. However, he was unable to get an assist today but the defensive duty was done well.

CB – Ibrahima Konate – 7

He was caught trying to catch Wilson offside and that led to Newcastle United’s best chance. But luckily for him, the Magpies striker missed and that was his only big involvement in the game.

CB – Virgil van Dijk – 7.5

Probably a match he wouldn’t recollect in a few weeks. Did not have to do anything in the game and was strolling around to keep the ball rolling.

LB – Konstantinos Tsimikas – 7.5

He was superb today and hardly put a foot wrong. He had very little to do in the defensive third and was around the halfline most of the time.

CM – Ryan Gravenberch – 7.5

He was simply too good today and did not put a foot wrong. He had very little to do today but was all over the pitch to help out.

CM – Alexis Mac Allister – 8.5

He was on top of his game today and did not have to do much defensively. Scored the goal that sealed the win for Liverpool and he was too good going forward. The Argentine was also trying to create chances but did not get an assist.

RW – Mohamed Salah – 8

NO goal for Mohamed Salah today but he did manage to get an assist. It wasn’t for the lack of trying from the Egyptian but more to do with Lewis Hall ensuring that he was never given space to shoot.

CAM – Dominik Szoboszlai – 9.5

He started the game well and was relentless until the very end. He was all over the pitch for the whole match and helped out his teammates at every phase of the match. Scored the opening goal of the match but he was hungry for more as he was shooting until the end, though he did not get another goal.

LW – Luis Diaz – 8.5

He went up and down the left flank today, and he never stopped running until the 87th minute when he was taken off. He was creating a lot of chances for his teammates, but only Dominik Szoboszlai managed to score.

ST – Diogo Jota – 6.5

He did very little today and was hooked off after the hour mark. He failed to get a single shot away and had just 11 passes in the game today.

SUB – Cody Gakpo – 6.5

Came on for the final 30 minutes and was desperate to get on the scoresheet. Had the ball in the back of the net too, but the goal was ruled out for a foul.

SUB – Jarell Quansha – 6.5

Came on for the final 15 minutes and managed to keep the scoreline intact.

SUB – Wataru Endo – 7

Came on for the final 15 minutes and finished with 100% pass success and also stopped a counter from Newcastle United.

SUB – Curtin Jones – 7

Came on for the final 10 minutes and did not have a lot to do.

Manager – Johnny Heitinga – 9

With Arne Slot suspended, Heitinga did well as the make-shift manager today. He did exactly what was expected from him and the Slot had very little to worry about from the stands.

Newcastle United Player Ratings

GK – Nick Pope – 5

He was helpless for both goals today, but still, the fans would think that Martin Dubravka might have kept them out. He did not make a single save in the first 85 minutes of the game before Salah tested him.

RB – Valentino Livramento – 6

He was decent against Luis Diaz and managed to do a lot of right in the game. He was in the Liverpool half most of the time before going off the pitch just before the 70th minute.

CB – Fabian Schar – 6

He dealt well with Jota, but Cody Gakpo troubled him a little. He was stuck near the edge of his box most of the game as he could not charge forward as he usually does in games.

CB – Dan Burn – 5

He struggled today and the ball went between his legs for the opener. He handled Jota well and would be happy that Salah was kept in check.

LB – Lewis Hall – 6.5

He did well to handle Mohamed Salah today. The former Chelsea man ensured that the Liverpool star did not get a lot of shots away but was lucky to have not given away a penalty in the first half.

CDM – Bruno Guimares – 6

He was struggling to get on the ball today as Liverpool dominated possession. He failed to create a single chance but his passing was decent.

CDM – Sandro Tonali – 6

He was all over the pitch today but was chasing the ball more often than not. He too failed to create a chance today and was taken off just before the 70th minute.

LW – Jacob Murphy – 6

He was missing in the game today and the only time the camera panned to him was late in the match. He did well to stop Salah on the counter-attack but it was by pulling him back and the referee booked him.

CAM – Anthony Gordon – 6

Had to play centrally today with Isak out and that did not work well. He was all over the pitch but never managed to test Alisson.

LW – Joe Willock – 6

He played just under 70 minutes today but was hardly involved. No shots, no chances, and hardly got into the Liverpool box.

ST – Callum Wilson – 3

The forward has the best chance to get on the scoresheet today but failed to make the most of it. His shots were well side and did not even test Alisson today.

SUB – Harvey Barnes – 6

He came on in the 70th minute and hardly made an impact in the game.

SUB – Kieran Trippier – 6

Came on for Livramento and helped keep Luis Diaz silent for the rest of the match.

SUB – Lewis Miley – 6.5

Played over 20 minutes and did a lot more than the Newcastle United midfielders who started today.

SUB – Sean Longstaff – 5

Came on for the final minutes and did not do much in the game.

SUB – William Osula – 5

Played just over 20 minutes and hardly got on the ball.

Manager – Unai Emery – 3

He made the mistake of changing the system and the changes were poor during the game.

Sportsdunia’s Man of the Match goes to Dominik Szoboszlai.