Manchester United – it’s over to you.
Liverpool could be heading into the brand new yr prime of the tree for the third successive yr.
Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow stored Liverpool out all the way in which, with Reds striker Roberto Firmino foiled on the demiseCredit score: Reuters
Boss Jurgen Klopp reveals his frustration as Premier League leaders Liverpool struggled in useless for a breakthroughCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
Toon keeper Karl Darlow thwarts Liverpool striker Mo Salah at St James’ ParkCredit score: Getty Pictures – Getty
However simply two factors in 4 days in opposition to West Brom and Newcastle – and a sixth draw of the season – leaves the door open for his or her bitter rivals.
In the event that they win in opposition to Aston Villa tomorrow, the champions shall be clinging onto first place by objective distinction.
Victory at St. James’ Park would have seen them 5 factors clear.
However, whereas Jurgen Klopp’s aspect had the most effective probabilities, Newcastle – identical to the Baggies – had been good worth for a degree.
Mohamed Salah was denied fantastically by Karl Darlow early on and fired extensive with the objective gaping on his normally lethal left peg.
The Mags keeper was heroic all evening, holding out two Roberto Firmino headers.
And Fabian Schar in some way stored the Reds out late on with a outstanding objective clearance.
However total it was one other disappointing displaying from Liverpool in opposition to a aspect they normally beat with out getting out of second gear.
Sadio Mane might have been Liverpool’s high-rise hero however simply missed Credit score: EPA
Liverpool at the very least noticed star summer season signing Thiago return after harm, as a subCredit score: EPA
Liverpool centre-back Nathaniel Phillips brings down Newcastle’s Argentine defender Federico Fernandez Credit score: Getty Pictures – Getty
And their kind away from house is changing into increasingly of a priority, with simply 4 wins from their final 14 matches.
Toon boss Steve Bruce turns 60 right this moment and, after essentially the most depressing of festive durations, even his harshest critics may go away off for a day or two.
That they had their probabilities too, with Alisson springing to the rescue late on to maintain out Ciaran Clark’s header.
Toon talisman Callum Wilson was again having been rested for the 2-0 defeat to Manchester Metropolis, changing Miguel Almiron.
Klopp’s harm woes on the again present no indicators of relenting, with Nathaniel Phillips changing the crocked Joel Matip for his third league begin.
And there was panic inside two minutes when Wilson’s miscued cross from the proper noticed Alisson frantically back-pedalling to tip it over the bar.
Wilson was at it once more moments later, flicking on Jacob Murphy’s free-kick simply extensive.
For a aspect that hardly will get out their very own half in opposition to the massive boys, the Mags had been virtually purring.
Sadi Mane heads extensive as Liverpool put the stress on NewcastleCredit score: Ian Hodgson – The Day by day Mail
Whereas they give the impression of being prime relegation candidates with out him, with Wilson they may at all times carry a objective menace.
And having already bagged eight league targets, the ex-Bournemouth striker could have been raging to not have scored 13 minutes in.
Performed in down the left, the 28-year-old had an excessive amount of tempo and energy for Phillips, brushing him off with ease.
The angle was in opposition to him however, one-on-one, you continue to fancied him, with the Reds solely saved by Fabinho’s last-ditch block.
DeAndre Yedlin was subsequent, scuffing effectively extensive having discovered acres of house on the proper of the field.
Whereas Brucey did his finest Sean Dyche impression on the touchline, growling and snarling at his troops to get caught in, Klopp couldn’t have been extra chilled.
However the champions, as they had been in opposition to West Brom, had been fully off the boil early on.
The Newcastle defence – who will need to have been anticipating a depraved backlash after two dropped factors to the Baggies – barely needed to elevate a finger.
However, because the half wore on, Liverpool finally joined the get together and had been solely denied a lead on the break by two excellent Karl Darlow saves.
Karl Darlow and Toon team-mate Ciaran Clark appeared content material with the purposeCredit score: Ian Hodgson – The Day by day Mail
First up was Mohamed Salah, performed in excessive by Jordan Henderson, however Darlow in some way acquired a hand to the Egyptian’s shot and despatched it agonisingly extensive.
And simply earlier than half-time, Darlow – the Toon’s star man almost each week – leapt to his proper to beat out Roberto Firmino’s header.
Sadio Mane flashed a header extensive from a nook within the 53rd minute, however Brucey’s boys had been nonetheless effectively in it.
Whereas Liverpool had been pinning them deeper and deeper with over 70 per cent possession, the menace was at all times there with the proper ball as much as Wilson and keen runners.
However as resolute and uncharacteristically bold as they had been, Klopp’s aspect had the most effective probabilities to win it.
Salah fired one simply extensive on his normally trusty left peg earlier than Firmino headed simply extensive with 20 minutes remaining.
They had been getting nearer, with Firmino heading simply extensive of Darlow’s objective with 20 minutes remaining.
Having missed the final two months by way of harm, Klopp known as on Thiago Alcantara from the bench for simply his third look.
On the different finish Clark thought he had snatched a well-known victory late on, with Alisson expertly all the way down to his left to maintain the header out.
However because the clock ticked on it was determined stuff on the again for Newcastle.
And so they had been indebted to Schar’s clearance on the finish to disclaim Sadio Mane earlier than Darlow bailed them out once more with an outstanding cease to disclaim Firmino.
