Virgil van Dijk has reminded Liverpool's Premier League rivals that there is a reason why they are the only side to have beaten Newcastle this season. The Reds have done it twice.
Eddie Howe has worked wonders at St James' Park having secured their first cup final since 1999 with the Magpies currently sat in fourth spot in the league.
Liverpool handed Newcastle their first defeat thanks to a 98th minute winner back in August, but the Reds then ended the unbeaten home record of Howe's side after a 2-0 win on Saturday.
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Liverpool took the lead in the first half after a superb Trent Alexander-Arnold pass found Darwin Nunez and he finished sublimely. Shortly after, Mohamed Salah found Cody Gakpo for his second goal in as many games. Nick Pope was then sent off for handling outside of his area.
Liverpool have climbed to eighth, but sit just six points away from Newcastle in fourth with a game in hand.
Van Dijk said after the match: "Let's hope [it's a significant result]. We've had results in the season where we have felt like this is the time to kick on. But this feels a little bit different. Coming away from the big win against Everton, it was important to keep going and find a way to win."
He sent a message to rivals as he declared: "The red card changed the game a little bit. We could have done better, but there is a reason why we are the only team to win here.”
The Dutchman returned from injury in the Toon as he continued: "It feels very good [to be back from injury.] Being healthy is the most important thing in the world. It was a tough six weeks but I'm back, hopefully I will do everything in my power to recover and be ready for the Champions League game, it is very massive for us.
"It's a lot of hard work behind the scenes but I'm happy to be contributing to the team. I think this whole season has proven any team can beat any team. We want to find consistency with what we have been doing the last five years. We want to be building consistency as a club.”
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