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Attendance: 51,430
Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 5
Sep 14, 2019 at 12.30pm UK
 
Newcastle logo

3-1

Mane (28', 40'), Salah (72')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Willems (7')

Player Ratings: Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane shine in Liverpool win

Sports Mole looks at how Liverpool's players performed during their 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at Anfield, with Roberto Firmino starring from the bench.

Liverpool continued their 100% start to the new Premier League season with a fifth win from five this afternoon, coming from behind to beat Newcastle United at Anfield.

The hosts were stunned seven minutes in when Newcastle took the lead through Jetro Willems, but that proved to be the Magpies' only shot on target.

A brace from Sadio Mane sent Liverpool into half time ahead, and Mohamed Salah added a third to put the game to bed with around 20 minutes remaining.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how the hosts performed on Merseyside.

Sadio Mane celebrates his side's second with Roberto Firmino during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Newcastle United on September 14, 2019© Reuters



LIVERPOOL

Goal

Adrian: Could do nothing about Newcastle's goal and that was the only shot on target the Magpies had. Otherwise a pretty straightforward afternoon. (6/10)

Defence

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Beaten too easily for the opening goal, although credit must also go to Jetro Willems for that. Was caught out defensively on a couple of occasions, but grew as a force going forward as the match went on and was unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet on a couple of occasions. (6/10)

Joel Matip: Seems comfortable and at home in the Liverpool defence now. Helped to mark Joelinton out of the game. (7/10)

Virgil van Dijk: A presence in both boxes as usual. Cannot be blamed for the Newcastle goal and did well to put pressure on Emil Krafth for their next best chance. (7/10)

Andrew Robertson: Initially found space more limited than usual due to Newcastle's five-man defence, but still chalked up an assist for the opening goal and helped Liverpool maintain relentless pressure as the match wore on. (7/10)

Midfield

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Replaced with a little over 15 minutes remaining having helped Liverpool to control possession in the middle of the park. Was a driving presence and came close with an effort of his own. (7/10)

Fabinho: Was like a homing missile at times to snuff out any dangerous attacks. Newcastle struggled to create much going forward, and that was largely due to Fabinho's protection of the back four. (7/10)

Georginio Wijnaldum: Almost scored a beauty against his former club at the start of the second half. Another assured display in the middle of the park, where Liverpool dominated. (7/10)

Attack

Mohamed Salah: Slightly below his normal high levels for much of the match, misplacing the odd pass and struggling to have as big an impact on the game as his fellow forwards. However, as is so often the case he still got on the scoresheet with a brilliantly-taken goal. (7/10)

Sadio Mane: Took his first goal brilliantly, curling his effort right into the top corner to make the most of a rare chance in the opening half-hour. Had a bit more luck with his second, but it was his pace and pressing which forced the mistake from Martin Dubravka. Threatened for a deserved first Liverpool hat-trick, but ultimately fell just short. (9/10)

Divock Origi: Lasted just 37 minutes after being handed a rare start having picked up an injury. Roberto Firmino, his replacement, made more of an impact within five minutes. (5/10)

Substitutes

Roberto Firmino: Replaced the injured Origi during the first half and immediately showed the guile Liverpool had been lacking to unlock the Newcastle defence with a through-ball for Mane's second. Ran the show from thereon in, bringing out flicks and tricks to delight the Anfield crowd, including a delicious one into the path of Salah for Liverpool's third. Is a man in serious form and showed no ill-effects from his lengthy international travels. Our man of the match. (9/10)

James Milner: Brought on with 15 minutes remaining and helped to ensure Liverpool saw the game out with no scares. (6/10)

Xherdan Shaqiri: Did not get much of a chance to show what he can do during a six-minute cameo. (6/10)


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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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