Liverpool inflicted rivals Newcastle United on only their second defeat in the English Premier League this season by winning 2-0 at St James' Park, thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Jacobo on Saturday.
Coach Jurgen Klopp's team started strongly and scored two early goals, before Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope was sent off in the 22nd minute.
The only previous loss for Newcastle this season in the league was also against Liverpool at the end of last August.
Nunez opened the scoring after receiving Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass and fired hard into the net in the tenth minute.
Jakobo added the second goal with Liverpool after 7 minutes, taking advantage of a clever pass from Mohamed Salah.
Bob advanced from his goal to deflect a long pass from goalkeeper Alisson towards Salah, but he fell to the ground and then removed the ball with his hand before the Egyptian player, to receive a direct red card.
🟥 A strange shot from the Newcastle goalkeeper, resulting in a direct red card# Premier League # Newcastle_Liverpool pic.twitter.com/yuRrbMgMGh
- beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 18, 2023
Despite the numerical shortage, Newcastle created more than one dangerous opportunity and hit the crossbar, as goalkeeper Alisson intervened to remove more than one attempt.
Liverpool achieved its second consecutive victory, after 4 matches without victory, to become eighth with 35 points, 6 points ahead of Newcastle, and it also has one deferred match.
Newcastle's hopes of finishing the season in the golden square were dealt a blow after winning once in the last 7 league matches.
This is the feeling we love and want after every match 🙌🔴pic.twitter.com/U9BaSKz9en
- Liverpool FC (@LFC_Arabic) February 18, 2023