Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League table thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Newcastle United.
Naby Keita was the unlikely hero on Tyneside, as his delightful goal in the 20th minute gave Jurgen Klopp 's side all three points. The Reds moved two points ahead of Manchester City - who play later today - with the slender victory, ending the Magpies' marvellous run of six home wins on the bounce which stretched back to February.
Liverpool manager Klopp came into the match off the back of signing a contract extension which keeps him at Anfield until 2026. Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold were among five changes for the Reds, who face Villarreal for a Champions League semi-final second leg next Tuesday, leading 2-0 on aggregate.
Here are five talking points from St James' Park.
1. Klopp roulette
In another move to demonstrate Liverpool's superb squad depth, Jurgen Klopp made a raft of changes from Wednesday's 2-0 triumph over Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final. Keeping his side fresh for the second leg and upcoming FA Cup final, Klopp rested Trent Alexander Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Mohamed Salah.
In their places came Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Naby Keita, James Milner and Diogo Jota, with the Reds boss explaining his decision to make five changes pre-match. Meanwhile, fans joked that Klopp had taken Pep Guardiola's mantle of playing roulette with his team selection to the frustration of fantasy football managers everywhere.
"We have to do it because of the intensity of the period we're in," the German told BT Sport. "But when you make five changes and that is still the line-up then obviously you have a good squad. We could have changed more but it was about rhythm and stability as well, and everyone knowing exactly what the other one is doing."
2. Classy Keita
With some of Liverpool's big-name stars on the bench, not many would've expected Keita to be the replacement who made the biggest impact, but his opening goal after 20 minutes vindicated Klopp's rotation. After a strong challenge from Milner on Fabian Schar that was deemed legal by VAR, the ball fell to Jota, who laid in Guinea international Keita on the right of the penalty area.
From there, the 27-year-old midfielder went on a mazy solo run between a load of black and white shirts before slotting home past Martin Dubravka with his left foot. Having scored his two other Premier League goals this season in emphatic wins against Manchester United and Crystal Palace, Keita's third of the campaign will go down as by far his most important.
3. Mane's guilt-edged miss
While chances in the first half were few and far between, the second period saw a slew of opportunities for both sides. As Newcastle began to flex their muscles and show why they'd won six home games the bounce coming into the clash, Liverpool still reminded us why they're fighting at the top.
Shortly after Andy Robertsons squandered a chance, a well-worked move down the right fell to Sadio Mane in the penalty area, who was unmarked and given a clear shot at goal. Just as St James' Park prepared itself for the Reds' second goal, the in-form striker fluffed his lines, firing wide to the fury of Klopp on the touchline. Mane, who was promptly subbed off for Salah, would've wrapped the game up there and then, but Liverpool's three points were far from secure on the hour mark.
4. Fortress St James' conquered
Although much of the talk pre-match was on Liverpool's hunt for the title, Newcastle were hoping to extend their winning run which began on February 8 with a victory over the more miserable Merseyside team, Everton. Eddie Howe's men have all but confirmed their top-flight status, with ambitions of playing in Europe over the coming seasons.
But as far as their current campaign goes, the Toon Army will have to be patient for their final three games, having been unable to force a slip-up. Howe deserves credit for the turnaround, but the Magpies have a long way to fly until they can truly compete with the likes of Liverpool. That being said, they weren't a million miles away from the Reds, at least a sunny early afternoon on Tyneside.
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5. Klopp and co back on top
Over to you, Pep. With City travelling to Leeds later today, Liverpool piled the pressure back on the champions by going top of the table once again. A draw would've sufficed due to their superior goal difference, but a two-point lead is exactly what Klopp and co came to the north east for.
With Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa up next after Tuesday's second leg in Spain, the Reds knew getting the job done on Tyneside was crucial to their hopes of reclaiming the title. While it wasn't pretty, their knack of winning when they aren't at their brilliant has become a staple of their assault for an unprecedented quadruple in 2022, which is still well and truly on.
