Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Caoimhín Kelleher (GK) Lacked assurance but cannot be blamed for the goals, which were the fault of the defence. 6/10
Jarell Quansah (RB) Out of position at right-back; did his best but not a suitable replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold or Conor Bradley. 6
Ibrahima Konaté (CB) Smart reading of the game prevented Isak opening the scoring but was asleep for the second. 6
Virgil van Dijk (CB) His usual calm and unflustered self but that was never going to be enough on a miserable day. 6
Andy Robertson (LB) Subdued at full-back and did not get off the ground to gift Murphy an assist for the second. 5
Ryan Gravenberch (CM) Never got up to speed with what he was facing, leaving him forlorn in front of the defence. 4
Alexis Mac Allister (CM) Not allowed to settle on the ball and hindered his side who failed to seize any degree of control. 4
Mohamed Salah (RW) Extremely quiet, often being isolated on the right, and unable to affect proceedings as the ball never reached him. 5
Dominik Szoboszlai (ACM) Not part of the equation, offering his services as a spare part in a desperate outing. 4
Luis Díaz (LW) Rarely got into promising positions as his tricks and speed were made redundant. 5
Diogo Jota (ST) Put in the hard yards but never looked like threatening the Newcastle backline. 5
Substitutes: Darwin Núñez (for Jota 57) 5; Curtis Jones (for Konaté 57) 7; Cody Gakpo (for Mac Allister 67) 6; Federico Chiesa (for Gravenberch 73) 6; Harvey Elliott (for Díaz 73) 5.
Newcastle (4-3-3)
Nick Pope (GK) A quiet afternoon but was alert to balls over the top and came out to clear danger. 7
Kieran Trippier (RB) A committed performance and his consistency from set pieces was a constant threat. 7
Fabian Schär (CB) Offered no loose change for anyone red to pounce on in a commanding performance. 8
Dan Burn (CB) Used his greater physicality to good effect against Salah and produced a stunning header to open the scoring. 9
Tino Livramento (LB) Produced a fine cross for the second goal on a flawless afternoon of constant running up and down. 8
Bruno Guimarães (CM) Imposed himself on the Liverpool midfield, winning the ball with great regularity and initiating attacks. 9
Sandro Tonali (CM) Amid all the chaos around him, the Italian offered the coolness and compassion to knit his side together. 7
Joelinton (CM) Aggressive and intense from the start as Newcastle won the battle. Also acted as chief cheerleader for fans. 9
Jacob Murphy (RW) Created the second by having greater desire and knowing where Isak was waiting. 7
Alexander Isak (ST) Took a while for him to get a chance but he was clinical when it arose, a reward for working hard. 8
Harvey Barnes (LW) Direct running down the flank caused problems thanks to his workrate, desire and skill. 8
Substitutes: Callum Wilson (for Isak 81) 6; Joe Willock (for Barnes 81) 6; Emil Krafth (for Jacob Murphy 90) n/a.
