After six home wins on the spin, we couldn’t make it seven in a row at St James’ Park today as title-chasing Liverpool came away with a comfortable win.
We started with real intensity about our play in the opening exchanges, pressing from the front and moving the ball quickly, but a 19th minute Naby Keita goal was followed by a classy and controlled display from Jurgen Klopp’s men.
We looked leggy, overwhelmed by Liverpool’s energy and out of ideas in the second half, struggling to keep the ball (or stay onside!) when we had it and being fortunate not to concede more as Dubravka pulled off several solid saves to keep it down to one.
Sometimes you have to just accept when you’ve been outclassed by a quality side – and this was one of those occasions, as Liverpool had almost 70% of the ball and 24 shots to our four.
In truth, it could and should have been more than 1-0, however we deserve credit for staying in the game – even if our stubbornness at one end was let down by a lack of spark in attack.
We had our moments early on and weren’t blown away by any stretch, however there was a clear gulf in class, as we struggled to get going in attack, had a tough job getting a grip of the game in midfield and didn’t quite tame a Liverpool front three who were constantly on the move.
The result means we stay 9th ahead of today’s 3pm kicks offs, although we could drop out of the top 10 if the likes of Leicester, Brighton, Brentford and Southampton win this weekend.
Eddie Howe made three changes from the side that beat Norwich 3-0 last weekend, seeing Fabian Schar, Jonjo Shelvey, Miguel Almiron replace Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy.
(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, Shelvey, Willock – Almiron, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.
SUBS: Darlow, Dummett, Lascelles, Manquillo, Ritchie, Longstaff, Murphy, Gayle, Wood.
Klopp also made changes, as Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago and Fabinho were all left on the bench just a few days on from their Champions League semi final first leg with Villarreal.
We started with a real intensity about our play, committing bodies forward, pressing from the front and giving the Reds little time to settle on the ball.
They did have two half chances through Jota and Van Dijk, but both blazed over in an opening 10 minutes that gave fans inside St James’ Park real encouragement. This certainly didn’t feel like the best side in Europe against a team who were one of the favourites to go down just a few months ago!
That said, the Reds did grow into the game and, after a long period of possession, they struck first through Naby Keita.
It came just seconds after James Milner left Schar in a heap and way out of position, but they punished us as Jota slipped in Keita, who rounded Dubravka and fired past a sea of black and white shirts on the line. 1-0 Liverpool.
After a long spell without the ball, we were bringing the centre-backs up and throwing balls into the box whenever we won a free kick, yet that was almost our downfall on the 35th minute, as they turned the ball over, countered at pace and saw a Mane see a low shot well held by Dubravka after he was picked out well by Diaz.
Miguel Almiron then had the ball in the net a few moments later, however he was a couple of yards offside after being slipped in behind by Bruno. A poorly timed run in the end, but a sign Liverpool were leaving space in behind now they’d pushed up.
Another save then arrived from Dubravka, who tipped over Jota’s goal-bound header after the Portuguese international climbed highest from an inviting Henderson cross. With a Milner shot flashing just wide from the resulting corner, our defence finding it difficult to cope with the constant movement of Liverpool’s front three and our forward players struggling to keep a hold of possession, we needed to get into half-time at 0-1 and reset.
Thankfully, we did that, keep us in the game as we headed into a second half Howe had to nail if we wanted to keep the run of home results going!
We had to mix it up in this final 45, as we’d been too predictable and indecisive in possession. Easier said than done against such a top side, but we were often stuck in between committing bodies forward and protecting ourselves at the other end against a ruthless Liverpool attack who move the ball into the final third so quickly.
Schar was then forced off on the 60 minute mark, seeing Jamaal Lascelles come on for the Swiss international for the remaining half an hour. Based on the way he went down, it looked like he was still struggling to shake off that heavy tackle from Milner just seconds before the opening goal.
It should’ve been 2-0 moments later. Gomez burst past Joelinton, fired a low ball across the box and Mane shot wide of Dubravka’s near post. He had to score but didn’t, handing us a lifeline as we approached the final 25 minutes.
Chris Wood then came on, replacing Joe Willock in a move that saw Joelinton drop back into a midfield three, Saint-Maximin move to the left and the big Kiwi up top to give us a much needed presence in attack.
Klopp then responded with a few changes of his own, as Mane and Henderson made way for Salah and Fabinho. Such a double change only lifted Liverpool, who looked much more likely to make it 2-0 as we did to an equaliser, if the truth be told.
The Leazes End were on their feet as Wood was slipped in behind by Saint-Maximin, however the former Burnley striker saw Alisson smother his effort just before the offside flag was finally raised. A glimpse of goal and glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t long until Dubravka was forced into another good save as Jota stung the Slovakian’s palms.
With just 10 minutes remaining, we had nothing to lose and had to commit bodies forward in a bid to impose ourselves on a Liverpool side who’d cruised through this second half. Easier said than done against such a top side who had total control of the game, but the 52,000 inside St James’ Park would prefer to see us have a go and lose 2-0 than see out a narrow yet comfortable away win.
Howe took a step towards doing that as Jacob Murphy replaced Emil Krafth 85 minutes in, giving us fresh legs and pace down that right-hand side Robertson had dominated.
A rare sight of goal then came Bruno’s way, but the Brazilian’s low shot was held well by Alisson. It was just our second shot on target all game and was the closest we got in that final 45, as Liverpool saw out a comfortable 1-0 win to go back to the top of the Premier League.
Fair play to Liverpool. We’d have liked to dent their title hopes today, but Klopp rested a few key men and still saw his side win comfortably against a Newcastle side in their best form at St James’ Park for almost 20 years.
Next up for Newcastle, a trip to Man City a week tomorrow!
Was predicting a 2 or 3 nil loss so not upset with the outcome. We are 2 years away from where Liverpool are at. They are a fantastic team atm.
We need to flush some players and bring in some more quality.
Aussie(Quote)
The gulf in quality between the 2 teams is obvious – particularly the attackers. So I thought our defence played really well to keep them largely quiet today. Dubravka made a couple of big saves but in the main I thought Diaz & Jota were kept quite quiet.
The glaring stat for me was the passing accuracy – them at 84% and we were 64%. That’s awful & ultimately made it too easy for them imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Burnley losing, Watford on top
KIMTOON(Quote)
Players out for me in the summer, that are around the starting line up.
ASM
Miggy
Wood
Long-standing x2
Murphy
Asm and Miggy run about a lot but ultimately they are not good enough.
To get to the next level none of these players are good enough.
Aussie(Quote)
Long standing = Longstaff ?
Aussie(Quote)
burnley equalize
KIMTOON(Quote)
Burnley lead, Everton will be gutted so late in the game 😆
Norwich down if this result stays
KIMTOON(Quote)
Super-Frank and his pundit/journo pals have to be worried now.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
who’s most likely to stay up Leeds or Everton ?
KIMTOON(Quote)
C’mon Leeds!!!!
I dont really care where we finish. My prediction was 12th on alphabetical order and I still think that is where we will end up, despite Bruce.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
My team for Burnley, last game of the season:
Steve Harper
John Gibson Kimtoon Sharpy Gazza
Mike Ashley Amdy Faye Jimmy Nail
Mike Dean Chris Wood Sting
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Everton going down could really happen. I even doubted it, when I wished for it.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Well, not really a predictable result because in the form Liverpool are on you would expect us to get beat by 2 clear goals. Good on yer Eddie. We didnt just lie down and let them tickle our tummies or stick 9 men behind the ball like Villareal or time waste and try to kick them into the sky like Everton.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Aussie – I know some argue that with Wilson out we needed Wood, but I’m of the opinion we’ve been robbed of £25m.
I’ve never seen a CF which such physicality who does NOTHING with it. There’s no rough and tumble with him & he certainly doesn’t break his neck to get into the box. He’s been a real let down imo – and it’s a shame to say that because I initially thought it would be a good buy with his PL experience.
It certainly hasn’t weakened Burnley has it?!.
I agree with the players you’ve listed there – you could add another 5 or 6 if you add midfielders and defenders.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oh to be sandwiched between Kim toon & Gazza ???.
But there would be a Dyer/Bowyer moment with me & Ashley if that’s your team mate ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Everton have Chelsea tomorrow & I don’t see them getting a result.
I’m in no doubt after Burnley’s wins in the last 2 games now that Everton are doomed.
They can’t score a goal & can’t buy a win.
I don’t see them getting 5 more points this season tbh. The players look beat before they go out – so once they are 1 down it’s game over.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Watford go to Palace knowing that anything but a win means relegation. If they get that win they entertain Everton and will win that too. If however palce get something watford are down and Everton pick up three points.
The problem for everton is that’s the only three points they will get
PremAndUp(Quote)
I got up at 6am to watch the game. I wasnt disappointed. We are at least 3 players away from Liverpool. A centre back, attacking midfielder and a striker. But, we didnt play badly.
Dubs had a good game, so the morons that say he should be replaced are morons!!!!!
They didnt create that many chances and I think they have won like 14 in a row.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
If you watched Liverpool against Everton and us and them it is like night and day.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Looking dodgy for the Blue Bindippers innit. Tomorrow is their doomsday I hope. 2 away games after that and they have only picked up 6 away points all year. Watford have to break that run of 11 home defeats sometime. When better than against the Scouse Mackems?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – sorry mate I disagree. I don’t remember us testing Alison once and can only think of Bruno having 1 shot on target which was right down Alison’s throat really.
Liverpool bossed the game & we help them with our inability to pass the ball.
I thought Howe got it wrong today. We needed Joelinton in midfield to win that battle – by default that would probably mean Wood up front, though I don’t think he’s good enough but Gayle doesn’t get picked.
I think we are closer to 10 players off Liverpool – based on the fact I only see Bruno having a chance of getting in their side.
Dubravka made so fine saves today, but his distribution today was awful. There was numerous goal kicks where Wood was gesturing to him because he kept missing the area he wanted it played to.
I like Dubravka & appreciate the job he’s done for us, but I would probably be one of those morons to be honest mate. I don’t think he’s an urgent replacement necessarily, but we need better imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Watching the Leeds v City game and the amount of cr@p they are throwing onto the pitch & at Grealish in particular is a disgrace.
Forget a fine, they should be made to play their remaining home games without fans!!.
If they can’t behave, don’t let them in – simple as that!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
To go back to our game, I thought Targett was excellent today.
We HAVE to sign that lad up going into next season!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
City 4, Leeds nil. We did OK against the equal best team in the world.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: we dont really have a striker. That would change our team immensely. Darwin Nunez would help us evolve as one of the top 4. We would survive as one of the fittest teams in the league. BUT… I am actually wanting revolution rather than evolution and I think Darwin can get us there whatever he wrote in the 19th Century.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Blue Bindippers now 4/7 to go down.
Leeds 3/1.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Blue Bindippers have to get at least a draw against Chelsea, otherwise they are fcked.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I know he’s the forward you want & he’s a superb talent. We would have the money to buy him but that’s only part of the equation sadly – I think the player himself will want a bigger move. He’s tasted European football this season & I think he’s gonna want that again.
I also think our squad needs strengthening that much, we aren’t really in a position to spend THAT much on just 1 player.
Sharpy17(Quote)
To go back to the City game – the ref had an absolute stinker today.
He should have booked Dallas long before the lad made the tackle that cause serious injury to HIMSELF!!. Could have been booked 3 or 4 times before that tackle. He could have also just as easily took Grealish out with that challenge.
Also, Grealish was getting pelted when taking a corner. The ref should have stopped the game & had a tannoy message put out. It’s unlikely it would have stopped it, but at least it would have shown he acknowledged it was happening so it’s in his report when it comes to them being disciplined.
They even pelted Raphina when he was taking a corner the bloody clampits.
The ref done nothing to protect the players from either side.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: you know when I talk about Darwin Nunez I am always referencing The Origin of Species : )
What was all that throwing rubbish on the pitch at Leeds about? I had the sound turned down because the commentators p!ss me off most of the time.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I am going to be in Siena, Tuscany for the Man City game. I might be able to find it in a bar in Il Campo which is the main “square” but I think we will get beat 3 nowt so I might not search that hard for the game.
Il Campo has the craziest horse race in the world. Bare back around the “square” which has been covered with mud and sand. No rules!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I know mate, I can’t quite figure out if you genuinely think we’ll sign him or you just enjoy a little chuckle to yourself when you post about him ?.
There was nothing that caused the Leeds lot to throw them – they were pieces of coloured paper they held up before kick off. I know they can’t hurt the players – but there’s always clowns who throw a coin or lighter in amongst it.
I’m not the biggest fan of Grealish, but I thought he conducted himself brilliantly well, when really more should have been done to protect him.
I really think banning the fans for the next home game is the only way to try and stop fans throwing things onto the pitch.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The Palio is the horse race.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I really want us to sign Nunez. The other things I write about him are just messing about. I think Nunez and Paqueta would get us to the next level.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
We also need a world class centre half. Remember when the T-Rex Mackem took out Van Dijk for the whole season? They never recovered. They lost 6 home games in a row FFS and look at them now!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – agreed mate but I’m not sure there would be much change from £150m for both those players & we need so much more improvement than just those 2.
If we could get decent free transfers & loans then maybe – but that’s a big if.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Pretty sure Nunez said he’d only go to a champions league side, so doubt we will get him, but hey, you never know! I’d just like a striker that can score goals and stay fit. It seems we don’t have one right now.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Pogba’s Agent has died. That leaves him only one place to go – PSG – to sell shirts for the World Cup. Certainly not for football reasons.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I wonder how many Man U fans have “POGBA” on their shirts? It has to be by default because there was nobody else until Ronny came back. Pogba was always only interested in his “brand” and he is a pretty shyte footballer who I never knew why he got so famous and rich.
But, who else would you have had on a Man U shirt last year 🙂
Mata
De Gea
Fred
McGuire
Greenwood (let’s not go there)
Matic
McTom
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Probably Bruno Fernandez but he has turned into a whiny little b!tch.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – love him or hate him, Alex Ferguson knew a thing or 2 about football – and he let Pogba go.
He saw from a young age that for all the ability the lad might have, he was distracted with his own self importance. To be fair to him, he & his team have done a decent job with that business though.
But to me he’s the French Danny Drinkwater. People use the argument that he’s won a WC – Danny Drinkwater won a PL – both played alongside Kante ??♂️.
As long as he doesn’t end up at Newcastle I couldn’t care where the lad ends up.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think we’ll get a new striker on in summer – but sadly I don’t think it will be Nunez.
Top of my who I think is possible list is Tammy Abraham. I think he’d be great in our system & would like a move back to the PL I reckon.
I think he’d cost in the region of £50m, but I think that would be money well spent.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I havent seen any of Abraham at Roma but I thought he was decent at Chelsea. They might want him back as Werner hasnt scored that many which I find odd because he was brilliant in Germany.
I do have a question after watching a few you tube channels. There’s a guy called Paul on Toon Review and also Adam Pearson who keep referring to “you guys” (I know I just said guy but that was on purpose). When did “Guy” or “You Guys” become a thing in the North East. Have you been watching too much American TV? I did notice last time I was in London how Americanised that had become.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I will say it again – I think people are underestimating how much money we will spend. We can afford Abraham if Chelsea will sell him to us. I think he might want to raise his profile in England in a WC year. He wont get in ahead of Kane or Sterling but could be an impact sub.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Wish we were mathematically safe, our run in is bad and don’t see more than 1 more point tbh.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Sharpy, our owners are too smart to buy the likes of Progba, don’t think Eddie would be keen on him. He likes workers and team spirit both of which Progba lacks.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I do think Ivan Toney is a CF who could get us 10-15 goals a season and could likely be got for between £30-40m.
He’s only 26, so would see us through that growth phase.
He’s not the Hollywood name people would want, but neither was Dan Burn or Matt Targett.
If we spend money on quality wingers and attacking midfielders who will score themselves & create chances for the likes of Toney, Wilson and even Wood – I think that’s the key.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, yep Toney would be good, not a sick note either which is a plus .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Sorry mate, this post wasn’t loaded when I posted my last comment.
Yeah he was excellent at Chelsea when you consider their transfer ban & it was pretty much all on him. I thought it was a bit disrespectful they favoured Lukaku rather than sticking with him – not one that’s worked out either that one.
I don’t think Abraham is in the elite group of forwards yet, but you look at his record and it’s very good. Add to that he’s a young lad moving to a big club in a foreign country & the success he’s had this season shows not just ability but a strength of character too. He backed himself and I like that.
He’d be my first choice, with Toney as back up.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – I think we are comfortably safe now – forget maths, it would take a miracle now.
Yeah I think the Pogba link is just paper talk and likely because we are one of the few clubs who can afford his wages. But he won’t come to us.
I really like Toney & think he’s shown a real strength of character too dropping down the leagues to work his way back up.
You look at his stats for Brentford this season & they are excellent when you consider they are a newly promoted club.
He’s scored goals, got assists and there is only Zaha who has won more fouls than him this season. When you consider the goals we can get from set pieces, I think that’s important too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We sign either of those forwards, they play regular first team football. With the likes of ASM, Bruno and Shelvey in the team already – add maybe Paqueta and Lingard or similar and those forwards score goals – they are in with a great chance of an England place for the WC for me, coz behind Kane which other England forward is nail on for a place?? Ollie Watkins?, DCL? – both get him ahead of them playing and scoring regularly for us imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Looks like Rafa was a pretty **** judge of forwards. Mitro has 41 goals this year and Toney is a beast. I have watched him a few times. He even sold Armstrong for a lot less than he was worth. Rondon not doing too well at Everton either. I remember so many complaining we wouldnt spend 16 mil on him but he really wasnt even that good for us (or WBA).
There was just so much blind faith in Rafa and a bit of rewriting of his history at NUFC. He took the best squad ever to be relegated down.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
What exactly are the Man U fans complaining about? The Glazers have spent 1 Billion on players. All you can really say is that they made bad Managerial choices, but most would have had Mourinho as one of their top 5 picks. The complaint I see most is that they take 25 million in dividends each year. Really!!! That would get you Pogba’s big toe if Riola was still alive.
Man U’s annual turnover is over 500 million. 25 mil in dividends is a drop in the bucket.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Remember John Hall and Freddie Sheppard used to take dividends out of NUFC. Adjusted for all of the money in football now they probably took out the equivalent of what the Glazers do now. There werent any protests, and Sheppard even sacked Bobby Robson and replaced him with Graeme (you wont win anything with a team of James Milners) Souness.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It is quite funny looking back and seeing the Milner quote from Souness. Yes Graeme, it is that James Milner, the one who won the league with Man City AND Liverpool.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I think we will be starting next season with 3 strikers
Wilson, Ekitike, and AN Other, Proven top striker.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Robbie Earle who I think is ex-Wimbledon was doing part of the preview for Everton in the US. He was going through the team and said that “Anthony Gordon who was excellent last week, gets another start”. What farking game was he watching? He was a diving cheat who tried to kick the Liverpool players off the park.
C’mon Chelsea!!!! I dont really care for Chelsea but I care less for Everton.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
My ideal game would be a loss for Everton caused by a mistake by the T-Rex Mackem.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Pete Postlesthwaite (Kevin Friend) actually looks quite fit for being one of the over 50’s Refs, in complete contrast to Mike “Rolls of Belly Fat” Dean and Fat Boy Moss who are thankfully both retiring.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
jeese what is it with Everton players and aggro , Mount was booked so just leave it ffs, there will be a red in this game.
KIMTOON(Quote)
ffs
KIMTOON(Quote)
Lots of recent criticism of ASM and Miggy. Some of it deserved but a lot of it not. How many players do we get forward when attacking? There is Wood of course but I don’t think he reads the game very well . Gayle does read the game better but we lack pace from midfield so often there is no one in the box when ASM or Miggy gets forward. In short we do not go forward in numbers often enough .
Groucho(Quote)
Think Chelsea could be here all day and not score
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bl00dy Chelsea. They dont seem to have any ideas. T-Rex has had a good game but is tie wasting again. He should be booked but until he is he will continue doing it.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
They are utter **** today like.
KIMTOON(Quote)
C’mon Chelsea you useless muppets
KIMTOON(Quote)
love Chelsea to get a late equalizer
KIMTOON(Quote)
7 mins et 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
Where did 7 minutes come from 🙂 Everton probably deserve a win because Chelsea have been ****.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
T-Rex definitely MOTM though.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
t.rex gets quite red in the face when he rants doesn’t he
KIMTOON(Quote)
Won them the game imo, Chelsea could of had 2 if not for his worldy saves
KIMTOON(Quote)
I will say this before the Arsenal game and will probably get burned – Arsenal are not that good!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Monkey’s Heed is there.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Well they are fighting to stay up and have games in hand
KIMTOON(Quote)