Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles admits it was a 'difficult game' against Liverpool but says his team 'gave their all' in defeat.
Jurgen Klopp 's side kept the pressure on title rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory at St James' Park on Saturday. Naby Keita scored the only goal of the game to secure a crucial three points.
The Magpies' had won their previous four games in the league to edge into the top half of the table. But Liverpool's quality shone through and Lascelles admitted as much.
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"We knew it was going to be a difficult game,” he told The Shields Gazette. “At the same time we came to win and we set up to do that.
"Sometimes you just have to give that respect to the other team. They are a quality side, we gave our all and left everything out there. We went toe to toe with them at times. I think how we've played over the last couple of months we can keep our heads held high.
"We have had a big shift in mentality and every game we play now we play to win. That's how we set up. That didn't happen (on Saturday). We had a couple of chances and they didn't have loads so that's a positive thing.
"It's Liverpool, and we gave our all."
The Reds now return to Champions League action this week as they travel to face Villarreal in the second leg of their semi-final tie. Liverpool take a 2-0 lead to El Madrigal and a place in the final against either Real Madrid or Manchester City is up for grabs.
