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Liverpool keep title dream alive with dramatic late Newcastle win

 

Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League following a dramatic late win over Newcastle which kept their title dreams alive.

Jurgen Klopp made four changes to the side that was beaten by a Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona in midweek, with Daniel Sturridge leading the line in place of Roberto Firmino, who is almost certain to miss Tuesday’s return leg against the Spanish champions at Anfield.

Despite the makeshift forward line, Liverpool raced into an early lead after newly crowned PFA Footballer of the Year Virgil van Dijk powered home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s outswinging corner.

The lead lasted less than 10 minutes, however, when Christian Atsu slotted home the rebound after Alexander-Arnold had been fortunate to escape a red card and the concession of a penalty having cleared Salomon Rondon’s goal-bound shot with his elbow from underneath his own crossbar.

Newcastle’s staff were said to be hugely frustrated with Andre Marriner’s decision to award a goal, rather than a spot kick, and their misery was compounded shortly before the half hour mark when another pinpoint Alexander-Arnold delivery was swept home by Mohamed Salah.

Rafa Benitez’s side started the second half in spirited fashion, though, and deservedly equalised 10 minutes after the restart when Javi Manquillo’s header dropped invitingly for Rondon and the Newcastle No.9 powered home a thumping shot with his left foot.

Worse was to follow for Liverpool when top scorer Salah was forced to leave the field on a stretcher with suspected concussion following an aerial clash with Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Klopp was forced to introduced bit-part squad players Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi in search of a crucial winner and the pair combined with just four minutes remaining when the Belgium striker glanced home the former Stoke City winger’s free-kick.

 

The win took Liverpool two points clear of champions Manchester City whose game in-hand comes at home against Leicester City on Monday evening.

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