EPL: Liverpool Retains Top Spot After Beating Newcastle 1-0

Liverpool moved ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle at St. James’ Park thanks to Naby Keita’s only goal.

Jurgen Klopp made five changes for the game, which was sandwiched between two legs of a Champions League semi-final against Villarreal.

The Reds might have made things simpler for themselves if Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota hadn’t squandered great chances to enhance Liverpool’s advantage.

However, Keita’s controversial goal on 19 minutes was enough to move two points ahead of City, who can retake top spot when they travel to Leeds later on Saturday.

Any slip by Pep Guardiola’s men and an unprecedented quadruple of Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup would be just seven games away for the Reds.

Klopp gave Liverpool fans even more cause for celebration by extending his contract at Anfield by two years to 2026 on Thursday.

The German was brave with his team selection as he left Mohammed Salah, Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench from the side that beat Villarreal 2-0 on Wednesday to put one foot in the Champions League final.

Only Klopp’s men have won more Premier League points in 2022 than Newcastle since the Magpies were able to begin splashing the cash of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.

Eddie Howe’s men had won their last six home games, but Liverpool showed their strength in depth as even a much-changed team controlled the game.

Three of those brought back into the team had a major role to play in the only goal as James Milner snapped into a tackle on Fabian Schar.

Source: punchng.com