Newcastle fans took the loss to Liverpool on the chin today and praised Martin Dubravka for keeping the scoreline respectable – though there were questions asked about the forwards.
Newcastle United succumbed to what fans conceded is one of the world's best teams in Liverpool, losing 1-0 at St James Park this afternoon. Naby Keita got the winning goal after 19 minutes.
Newcastle managed to keep the scoreline down, but the Magpies offered little threat up front and players repeatedly being caught in Liverpool's offside trap. The result saw the Scousers go top of the league.
READ MORE: Newcastle player ratings after 1-0 loss to Liverpool
Commenting on the result, @jonrl71 tweeted: "In the pub, seems a few have forgotten where we were a few months ago. Liverpool are the best team in the world. This is far from a disaster!"
While @AngelNUFC wrote: "The offsides killed us this game, people need to relax, we lost 1-0 to one of the best teams in the world... It's not the end of the world."
@_MartinDean replied: "Agreed it's a narrow defeat but it’s good to know we aren’t as far behind them as I expected a hammering. Imagine this match next season after we strengthen in the summer."
While @Axcrazy1 had a tougher assessment: "Honestly it was a 1-0 hammering. Let’s not kid ourselves we are miles away from them."
There was plenty of praise for Newcastle's Martin Dubravka though. The goalkeeper made repeated saves to keep Liverpool out, including coming off his line to close down attacks several times.
Noting Dubravka's efforts, @JakeJackmann tweeted: "Thoroughly outplayed today. Lucky to keep them down to 1. Some great saves from Dubravka and our inability to stay onside was frustrating. We tried to press from the front and the effort was there, but quality difference was clear."
@bethnufc3 added: "Martin Dubravka has got to be man of the match. Brilliant performance from him."
@Madmagpie852075 said: "We held out thanks to Dubravka today."
While fans accepted being beaten by a better side, some felt that the failure to threaten Liverpool was a problem. Some said it highlighted where investment is most needed this summer.
@KurdishGeordie: "It took the best team in the world to finally defeat us at home. What this match taught us that we really need some quality in the final third."
@hetherington31: "Brilliant from @nufc. If we had a decent striker upfront, could have been a better result."
@Joe__NUFC: "Fair enough. ASM and wood need replacing though. It's either, offside or giving the ball away. Rarely anything else with either."
@beertaster3: "Need to figure out what this offside is all about. Extremely poor repeating the same errors."
Newcastle's next match will be against Manchester City away. That is scheduled for Sunday, May 8.
