Newcastle 2 Liverpool 3: Late goal takes title race to final day as Mo Salah is injured in St James' Park win

1/50
Joe Krishnan4 May 2019

A late own goal from Jamaal Lascelles kept Liverpool's title challenge alive after a thrilling 3-2 win over Newcastle at St James' Park.

Virgil van Dijk headed home from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner after just 13 minutes before Christian Atsu levelled the score seven minutes later.

Mohamed Salah restored the advantage not long after with his 22nd league goal of the season but Salomon Rondon equalised midway through the second half.

The evening got worse for the Reds when Salah was carried off with a concerning head injury after a collision with Martin Dubravka. But with just five minutes remaining, Lascelles headed into his own net to hand Liverpool a vital win to send them back to the top of the table.

Jurgen Klopp had to do without Roberto Firmino for the trip to Tyneside and put his faith in Daniel Sturridge to lead the line, with Dejan Lovren back at centre-half.

But it was his defensive colleague van Dijk who made the difference early on to give the Jurgen Klopp's side the early advantage.

It was simple for the Dutchman as he escaped his marker and headed home completely unmarked from the corner. It was the 21st goal Liverpool had scored from a set-piece, highlighting their effectiveness from stop-ball situations and Newcastle's dreadful defending from set plays.

But Newcastle soon began to find their feet and after some hounding in Liverpool's half, they were back level.

Matt Ritchie's mishit shot found its way to Salomon Rondon and the Venezuelan's effort was blocked by Alexander-Arnold's arm on the line. But before Andre Marriner could act, Christian Atsu prodded home the rebound to draw level. There were furious calls from the Newcastle bench for the full-back to be sent off, but under the rules, he would only have been allowed to be cautioned.

No sooner had Newcastle equalised, they were nearly in front after a piece of individual brilliance from Ayoze Perez. The Spaniard controlled a loose ball, scooped it up and smashed it goalwards only to see it crash off the bar with Alisson beaten.

It was a lucky escape for Liverpool and one they took note of. Once again, Newcastle's back three were carved open too easily as Alexander-Arnold's delivery found Salah. With a deft touch, he cushioned the ball into the far corner and it was a goal fitting of his undeniable class.

The Reds had chances to extend their advantage shortly after. Salah was the architect, sliding in Mane behind the Magpies' backline but the Senegalese could only fire straight at Martin Dubravka. Then Daniel Sturridge curled over from 20 yards and it was the kind of shot that the striker, at his peak, would nestle in the far corner.

Sturridge was then guilty of another big miss after being played in by Georginio Wijnaldum and Liverpool, so often clinical in front of goal, were made to pay for their profligacy.

This time it was Klopp's men who failed to defend at the corner as Rondon picked up the loose ball and fired past Alisson with a powerful effort from the edge of the box.

Klopp gave Xherdan Shaqiri a rare outing after being exiled for the second half of the season. But the German soon had bigger worries than the title race when his star man Salah was carried off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious head injury after an aerial clash with Dubravka.

But Liverpool summoned all of their energy and fighting spirit, and it was Salah's replacement Divock Origi who made the difference late on. In came the free-kick from the right and the Belgian challenged Lascelles, forcing the captain to head past his own goalkeeper to hand the Merseysiders a massive goal in the title race.

Despite facing eight minutes of injury time, the Reds were determined to cling onto their lead and held out for a crucial three points, meaning we will go down to the final day of the season in this absorbing title race.

Relive Newcastle vs Liverpool LIVE with Standard Sport!

Can't see the blog? Click here for the desktop version.

Newcastle vs Liverpool line-ups

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie, Perez, Ki, Hayden, Atsu, Rondon

Subs: Shelvey, Diame, Muto, Kenedy, Fernandez, Barreca, Darlow

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Sturridge, Mane

Subs: Milner, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mignolet, Shaqiri, Origi, Matip

Referee: Andre Marriner

4 May 2019

KICK OFF

We're underway at St James' Park!

This game could have massive ramifications for the title race. If Liverpool win, the pressure goes back onto Manchester City.

If they drop points, Pep Guardiola's side could effectively win the title at home to Leicester on Monday.

4 May 2019

The teams are out on the pitch at St James' Park and, if Liverpool thought they were going to be given an easy ride today, the fans have quickly put that theory to bed.

The atmosphere is rocking and why shouldn't it be. Rafa Benitez's side are in good form and have every chance of taking points off Liverpool today.

It should be a cracker!

4 May 2019

We are closing in on kick-off at St James' Park, and there's bad news for Liverpool fans.

Jurgen Klopp has all but confirmed that Roberto Firmino - missing from today's squad - is unlikely to face Barcelona.

Tonight could well be an audition for Daniel Sturridge, then...

4 May 2019

Team news

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie, Perez, Ki, Hayden, Atsu, Rondon

Subs: Shelvey, Diame, Muto, Kenedy, Fernandez, Barreca, Darlow

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Sturridge, Mane

Subs: Milner, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mignolet, Shaqiri, Origi, Matip

Referee: Andre Marriner

4 May 2019

We are losing in on team news at St James' Park, and we will have full line-ups at 6:45pm...

4 May 2019

How the title race stands

If Liverpool lose tonight, Man City will seal the title with a win over Leicester on Monday.

If Liverpool draw, Man City would remain top heading into the final day unless they lose against Leicester by a five-goal margin.

If Liverpool win, they will ensure that the title race goes to the final day of the season.

4 May 2019

Here's a reminder of how we see the two sides lining up today...

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie, Perez, Shelvey, Hayden, Atsu, Rondon Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Salah, Mane, Origi

4 May 2019

Benitez: Liverpool can stay at the top

Rafael Benitez has insisted Liverpool will still be one of the best teams in the world even if they end the season without a trophy.

The Reds know anything but victory at St James' Park could prove fatal in their bid to win a first league title since 1990, having seen their hopes of Champions League glory suffer a major dent with a 3-0 semi-final first leg defeat in Barcelona.

However Benitez, who memorably guided Liverpool to the pinnacle of European football in 2005, is convinced they are once again a major force and could be for some time.

Asked how Jurgen Klopp's team compared with his, Benitez said: "They are doing well, doing a great job with a very good team.

"At the moment, they're one of the best teams, not just in Europe, but one of the best in the world. They haven't won a trophy but there are so many strong teams, that can happen.

"Will they stay there? Yes. They are at the maximum level now and they can compete well against Manchester City or Barcelona or Bayern. They can stay there."

4 May 2019

Simply put, today is a must-win game for Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp will have to pick up his players after a dispiriting 3-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona in midweek, though the saving grace for the coach is that his players actually turned in a strong performance at Camp Nou.

On another day Liverpool may have even left Barcelona with a positive result - but when you're up against Lionel Messi, you have to take your chances.

If Liverpool put in anywhere near the level of their performance at Barca against Newcastle today, that should prove too much for the Magpies.

4 May 2019

Welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of Liverpool's trip to face Rafael Benitez's Newcastle.

The Reds must win to keep the heat on Manchester City in the title race, with anything short of victory paving the way for City to wrap up the League at home to Leicester on Monday...

Latest updatesOlder updates