Thank you all for joining me.
Here is Andy Hunter’s report from Anfield as Liverpool edge closer to the title.
Updated
More reports …
Tottenham v Man City
Brentford v Everton
Alexis Mac Allister: “I think it is a desire to win trophies, we know that this season we have the opportunity win some. We are really happy, working really hard and hopefully we can keep going.
“We didn’t start the second half as we wanted. I like to get into these positions and I am really happy to get the goal.
“We need the days off, we were tired. It will be good to have some rest and days off.”
Dom Szoboszlai: “I am really happy to help the team and that is the most important. If we are first in the league, I am happy.
“After mathematically they have no chance to get us [we will celebrate]. We are 13 points clear and really happy.”
You might as well read the reports from elsewhere tonight.
Forest v Arsenal.
Man United v Ipswich
Full time! Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
Liverpool really are, as mentioned at the top, the most effective and efficient team going. They were left untroubled by Newcastle and scored two fine goals to send them 13 points clear at the top.
90+6 mins: McCoist hands man of the match to Szoboszlai. Salah has also been excellent but we seem to accept that as a given nowadays.
90+4 mins: Gakpo sets himself up for an overhead kick but fires it wide. What a wonderful ending to the match that would have been.
Nunez puts in some hard yards to close down. He gets an appreciative roar from the home fans.
90+2 mins: Liverpool can give their full focus to the Champions League now.
“If there was still any doubt about the destination of the title I’d say that’s been put to bed tonight,” says Kitt. “It would take a collapse of biblical proportions for Liverpool to not become champions now.
”Liverpool are almost certainly going to be level on 20 titles with UTD, but well ahead on European glory. Firmly back on their perch.”
Updated
90 mins: NO GOAL! A corner is swung into the box, Pope comes to claim but drops it under pressure from Konate and the ball is poked up. It is soft but the referee says it is a foul.
Seven minutes added.
88 mins: Salah almost gets his goal; he drives into the box after a pass from Szoboszlai and then shoots with the outside of his foot but Pope gets down well to his right.
Jones for Mac Allister, Nunez for Diaz. Meanwhile, Newcastle have replaced Guimaraes with Longstaff.
86 mins: Jones and Nunez are readied. Time to shine, Darwin. McCoist, it transpires, does not read the written press and has no idea that Slot is unhappy with the Uruguayan. I go to these press conferences just for you, Ally!
84 mins: Liverpool are just knocking it around at the back. They seem gloriously unflustered and Newcastle do not have much left to give.
82 mins: Mac Allister is down and is holding his hip after being caught by Guimaraes.
Ben Wilkinson emails: “Salah deserves all the plaudits he’ll get for an outstanding season even by his own high standards, including (surely?) the 2025 Ballon d’Or, but can we also take a moment to appreciate van Dijk. Defenders are rarely as eye-catching as creative players, but he’s been the foundation of Liverpool’s procession to the title. So good he rarely has to resort to traditional defending.”
It is no surprise that Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Salah have played every PL game.
80 mins: Newcastle need to find some inspiration here because it feels a bit like they are going through the motions, not convinced they can actually score.
Barnes wins them a corner off Konate. It is cleared and Salah breaks but he is pulled back repeatedly by Murphy, who goes into the book.
78 mins: Endo on for Gravenberch, Quansah for Alexander-Arnold.
76 mins: Diaz attempts a pass but sends it straight out for a throw. THE WHEELS ARE COMING OFF!
75 mins: Maybe a few moments of calm are required after that silly spell of action. Gordon whips in a corner but Van Dijk heads away.
Endo and Quansah are prepared for Liverpool. No Nunez …
73 mins: Salah plays a cracking ball with the outside his left boot but Alexander-Arnold cannot get a touch on it to test Pope.
Newcastle have a decent chance down the other end but no one could reach the rebound after Alisson pushes a cross out.
It is breathless stuff as down the other end, Salah once again flicks a pass with the outside of his boot. This time Diaz is on the end of it but he jabs wide.
71 mins: Diaz is caught by someone or other and limps away with pain. One would assume Liverpool will not take any risks with players considering where they are in the table. They even get the weekend off before playing PSG a week tonight.
69 mins: Liverpool play a dreadful short corner and Newcastle clear. I suspect Slot will recover from that.
Osula, Miley, Barnes AND Trippier on. Wilson, Tonali, Livramento and Willock off.
67 mins: Anfield is singing about winning the title. Some might say that is overconfidence, I would just suggest it’s factual.
Chris Paraskevas writes: “All that’s required now is for Darwin Nunez to enter for his customary return-to-form against us (complete with goalkeeping rick) and the cycle of life will be complete.”
Will Slot give him a chance to show off his workrate?
65 mins: Gordon gets in round the back of the Liverpool defence and pulls the ball back but only red shirts are waiting.
Howe has prepared three subs: Osula, Miley and Barnes incoming.
GOAL! That is game over, isn’t it? Mac Allister drives into the box and lays it off to Salah who manipulates some space, allowing him to pick out the Argentinian who whacks home from 12 yards or so.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle (Mac Allister, 63)
Fantastic feet from Salah from an emphatic finish from Mac Allister.
Updated
62 mins: Mac Allister takes down Guimaraes from behind. This second half been a little stop-start with the need for physios and repeated fouls.
60 mins: Burn cleans out Szoboszlai and the referee is not happy with the Newcastle man.
Cody Gakpo is suited and booted. Slot is still treating Jota carefully amid his unfortunate injury record.
58 mins: Good news for Liverpool: Arsenal drew 0-0 at Forest. They will increase their lead at the top to 13 if they hold on here.
56 mins: Tsimikas gets caught by Murphy. The Greek is not happy.
54 mins: Are you a reader Tim/Nick? “Hopefully your new neighbour is reading this MBM, recognises himself and emails in to clarify...”
Maybe, Patrick Crumlish.
52 mins: We had a healthy delay but Van Dijk and Wilson are both back at it.
Updated
50 mins: Gordon whips in a dangerous cross from the left and Wilson flicks a header towards goal but it flicks off Van Dijk. It also turns out the two players clashed and they both need treatment. Wilson looks to have suffered the worse of the damage.
49 mins: The medical attention does the trick and the Liverpool midfielder gets up, although he has a bloody nose and needs more treatment on the sidelines.
47 mins: Newcastle win a free-kick around 20 yards from goal in a very central position. Gordon and Schar argue over who should take it. Gordon smashes it into the wall and more specifically Szoboszlai’s face, forcing the Hungarian to the turf.
Howe had a long chat on the touchline with sub Harvey Barnes. I assume we will see him at some point.
Ben Bronx emails: “As a Newcastle United fan, given our record at Anfield and the season that Liverpool are having, I didn’t expect to get anything out this game. Especially without Isak. However I was hoping to see us at least put up more of a fight. We just seem so passive. TNT Sports commentators Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist probably spent more time in that first half discussing the Boxing that took place over the weekend than they did talking about Newcastle United in possession of the football.”
Second half
Here we go again!
Matt Dony asks: “Are we completely discounting the idea of breaking into your neighbour’s house, and looking for his passport?”
He lives at 123 Fake St. Doe your worst.
Half-time reading …
Updated
Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
Liverpool have been the better side but Newcastle had Isak in the time, they could be level. Wilson has missed a fine chance to equalise but the hosts have dominated.
45 mins: One minute added on.
44 mins: Mac Allister is taken down by Guimares. It is a poorly-executed tackle and the Argentinian wants a more than a free-kick but the referee is having none of it.
Chris Paraskevas has provided photographic evidence of this: “I w̶a̶s̶t̶e̶d̶ blessed so many childhood hours with Olympic Soccer.
‘WHACK!’
”Still got it (working) on PS1, might fire it up instead of watching the 2nd half / searching for a Witch Doctor.”
It was a gloriously simple game. I think it came free with my PS1.
42 mins: Burn crashes into Van Dijk and gives away a free-kick inside the Liverpool half.
Stephen McCrossan writes: “While I can understand your view that the perpetrator of a foul throw should get a three-match ban, I’d argue that the real villains are the players who either pull their shorts up on their thighs or their socks over their knees. Life ban would be reasonable.”
We can ban everyone, don’t worry.
Updated
40 mins: Salah receives a pass on the right-hand side, he cuts in and curls a shot towards the top corner but it goes just over.
On the upside, I can say ‘I was there’ when Liverpool lost against Nottingham Forest. I have a suspicion it will be their only defeat this season.
38 mins: Fletcher and McCoist are rightly pointing out that Salah is the best in the world and playing the finest football of his career. No one could argue.
36 mins: Szoboszlai has a good chance for a second. He curls a shot from the edge of the box at the first time of asking but he puts too much whip on it and his effort slides wide.
Dan Christmas emails: “Surely if you haven’t introduced yourself yet, you just say ‘Hi I’m Will’ and then he’ll say his name? Or have I been terribly rude by not pre-learning people’s names I may potentially meet? I’m autistic so this is a genuine question...”
This does seem a sensible policy, I just fear he thinks I already know his name as he has spoken to my wife.
35 mins: The ball reaches Pope just outside the box. He tries to play a tentative pass out but kicks it straight at Salah. Thankfully for the goalkeeper the ball runs out for a goal kick and Pope’s blushes are spared.
34 mins: “It’s 4.48am and I’m anxiously watching The Reds with their one nil lead against Newcastle,” says Dom Parry. “I’m reminded of a stat my old school footy coach used to tell us defenders: ‘Never forget, 100% of equalisers are scored after you’ve taken the lead! Focus!’”
32 mins: Marie Meyer writes: “I recall Alan Green commentating on a poor-quality match which put him in a bad mood. He expostulated that a corner taker who fails to clear the first man should be fined by his club, and anyone who commits a foul throw should be docked a month’s wages.”
My kind of man. Does anyone remember him commentating on a computer game named Olympic Soccer?
31 mins: Wilson gets beyond Konate and latches onto a pass round the corner. Once again the striker is through on goal but he miscues the finish, which flies wide.
Updated
30 mins: Tsimikas gets the ball in inside the box after great work from Diaz but his right-footed shot is wayward and flies well over.
“The essential point is that, if your wife says the neighbor’s name is Tim, his name is Tim,” suggests Peter Oh. “Even if it turns out that it’s Nick. Have you not learned this yet?!
“By the way, I’m pleased that Szoboszlai’s shot found its way past the Newcastle keeper Nick Pope. Or is it Tim Pope?”
28 mins: Andy Flintoff on the earlier penalty shout: “Before Salah is tripped by Hall’s arm across his legs, he runs straight through him, pushing him over, which is what the referee penalised. However, Hall was making no attempt to shield or play the ball as he was looking straight at Salah, so it possibly could have been given as obstruction against him for the block (but is never given when it happens at set pieces).”
27 mins: Gordon is penalised for a foul throw after failing to put the ball behind his head. I think that should be an instant three-match ban.
26 mins: Gordon does well out on the right and earns space but his low cross is cut out.
“A recent commentary on Liverpool is how lucky they’ve been with injuries and not missing key men,” says Gary. “For the record, Allison has already missed 9 league games, 1/4 of a full season. Konate and Alexander Arnold also missed long chunks with Gomez and Bradley filling in. Jota has missed most of the season. Players have stepped up is the difference.”
24 mins: It is all Liverpool and Salah is ramping things up. He tries a pass which just does not reach its target and then goes for a mazy run into the box, only to be stopped at the last minute.
Kevin emails: “I wish Liverpool still had James Milner in games like this. I would dearly love someone to put in a clean but crunching reducer on Gordon and players of his ilk. Anyone who dives that much needs a reminder of what a hard tackle really feels like.”
22 mins: Newcastle have a free-kick in the Liverpool half. It is chipped up to the edge of the box and cleared. Diaz races away and slips in Jota, who could shoot but decides to cross for Salah. Newcastle have Hall to thank for beating the Egyptian to it and danger is averted.
There are plenty of spare seats around Slot. He must have been able to fill them with comps.
20 mins: Stat from Darren Fletcher on TNT: Liverpool have lost once in the past 91 league games after conceding first.
Gravenberch is taken down by Guimaraes. It could be a booking because it is cynical but the referee just talks to the Newcastle man.
18 mins: Wilson is played through on goal by Gordon, he is one-on-one with Alisson and should score but chips it over the goalkeeper and wide. It does not matter as the flag is up because Wilson is very much offside.
Updated
16 mins: Newcastle are still an 11-men-behind-the-ball operation. Liverpool are therefore quite happy to knock the ball around in front of them, turning the visitors into spectators.
14 mins: Newcastle will be a little frustrated by how easy it was for Liverpool to open the scoring. They are, however, not the first and will not be the last to be cut open by the Reds this season.
Diaz darts into the box again but Newcastle have the numbers to crowd him out.
GOAL! Liverpool break down the left and Diaz reaches the box before flicking the ball with the outside of his boot to Szoboszlai who shoots left-footed. The ball goes through the legs of Tonali and then flicks off Burn’s boot and beyond the diving Pope.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle (Szoboszlai, 11)
The Hungarian beats Pope thanks to a little deflection.
Updated
10 mins: Newcastle get their first chance to break as Tonali drives the ball up the pitch before pushing it out to Murphy on the right but his cross is poor and sails over the bar.
8 mins: The camera pans to Slot in the stands and he looks confused at the decision not to award Salah a penalty.
6 mins: Liverpool are looking lively in possession and certainly not resting on the fact they will almost certainly win the league. Newcastle have everyone behind the ball. Should be a fun night.
4 mins: Liverpool want a penalty after Salah is dragged down by Hall inside the box but referee Attwell gives it the other way. I am not sure what the ref has seen. VAR does not seem keen to get involved.
Salah almost reaches Diaz with a through ball but Livramento intercepts.
Steve sounds serious: “When meeting your neighbour for the first time, you should tell him your name is Will, that you are his neighbour (if context does not make that clear), and then shut up and listen. Listening (and remembering what you hear) is both helpful and important. My wife tells me I can do neither.
“The Americans are very good at asking other’s names, especially the bit about pronunciation. I remember a few people being pissed off that Brits emphasized the first syllable in Barack rather then the second. They tend not to make assumptions with unfamiliar names.”
2 mins: It is hammering it down at Anfield. The weather is the most noticeable thing about the opening exchanges.
Stephen Gibb suggests: “When in doubt I go with Dennis, but people do find me odd.”
Kick-off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
Steven Hallett emails: “English, moved to America.. Called a client in my early days here, a man called Jesus ( as in Hey-sues phonetically).. Yep, I called and asked to speak to Jesus...”
Blasphemer!
The players are out on the pitch.
I need some personal help. I have new neighbours and my wife has told me the husband is called Tim, while the landlord of the property says it’s Nick. Who do I believe? How do I introduce myself? Should I call him Tick? What’s your biggest naming faux pas?
Man United are 2-1 up against Ipswich at Old Trafford where it is raining goals (and rain).
Eddie Howe on Isak: “Really disappointing that we lose Alex but he is a player we can’t take any risks with. He was feeling something and he had to leave him out. We don’t think it is serious.”
On Liverpool: “We have to be brave and everything we weren’t against Manchester City. We know it is a very difficult game and our mental side has to be faultless.”
Chris Paraskevas emails: “Slot starting Tsimikas AND Diaz is confirmation that he knows this game is a pisstake. Eddie Howe might as well have started Emmanuel Riviere up front (a Mike Ashley-era classic) for all that it matters, because we all know there’s a faintly ludicrous Liverpool win coming up.
“Suggestion for Howe and staff: many years ago the Socceroos were suffering from a decades-long curse they picked up after failing to pay a witch doctor in Mozambique in the 70s. When someone eventually lifted the curse, we finally qualified for the World Cup (after lots of absurd heartbreak).
“...which Merseyside witch doctor did we piss off in the past? It’s time for His Excellency to find them and pay them and possibly cover himself in chicken’s blood to lift the Anfield curse.”
He does! There is no news on the new contract, says Salah.
Mohamed Salah, speaking to Steve McManaman, explains this is his best season at Liverpool because he is making everyone around him better. Quite an impressive feat for Salah. Will McManaman ask about his contract situation …?
Some early good news for Liverpool and Newcastle United fans …
Manchester United are losing.
Emillia Hawkins has you covered for England v Spain in the Women’s Nations League.
Will Newcastle need a new striker in the summer? Plans are afoot on the transfer front.
A groin problem has ruled Isak out of tonight’s fixture. A tough blow for Newcastle.
It looks very cold and windy at Anfield. If you want a classic, then the weather has to be terrible. I am pretty sure those are the rules.
We have plenty of 7.30pm kick-offs, too. Join Taha Hashim for them.
No Isak for Newcastle. That is a blow for Eddie Howe, who gives Callum Wilson a rare start up top.
Starting lineups
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Diaz.
Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Elliott, Robertson, Quansah.
Newcastle: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Wilson, Gordon.
Subs: Dubravka, Trippier, Ruddy, Longstaff, Osula, Miley, Targett, Krafth, Barnes
Get in the mood with Jonathan Liew on that man Salah.
There will be no Arne Slot on the touchline at Anfield tonight.
Preamble
Is this the start of Liverpool’s victory parade? They are 11 points clear at the top and their closest rivals do not possess a fit striker. It feels the effective and efficient Reds are romping home to the title, their superiority further proved with a straightforward win over Manchester City at the weekend.
Arne Slot – banned from the touchline here – will face Newcastle once more in a few weeks, when the two do battle at Wembley for the first major trophy of the season. Is this a dress rehearsal for that? Not really, as there is plenty to play for on the night at Anfield. This is a fixture that in the 1990s brought some brilliant entertainment to the nation and considering Newcastle’s last match was a 4-3 win, maybe we will be seeing more of that tonight.
Here’s to a cracker!
Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT
