Manchester United – it’s over to you.
Liverpool could be heading into the brand new yr prime of the tree for the third successive yr.
Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow saved Liverpool out all the way in which, with Reds striker Roberto Firmino foiled on the loss of lifeCredit score: Reuters
Boss Jurgen Klopp reveals his frustration as Premier League leaders Liverpool struggled in useless for a breakthroughCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
Toon keeper Karl Darlow thwarts Liverpool striker Mo Salah at St James’ ParkCredit score: Getty Photos – Getty
However simply two factors in 4 days in opposition to West Brom and Newcastle – and a sixth draw of the season – leaves the door open for his or her bitter rivals.
In the event that they win in opposition to Aston Villa tomorrow, the champions will probably be clinging onto first place by aim distinction.
Victory at St. James’ Park would have seen them 5 factors clear.
However, whereas Jurgen Klopp’s aspect had the most effective possibilities, Newcastle – identical to the Baggies – have been good worth for some extent.
Mohamed Salah was denied fantastically by Karl Darlow early on and fired broad with the aim gaping on his normally lethal left peg.
The Mags keeper was heroic all night time, holding out two Roberto Firmino headers.
And Fabian Schar by some means saved the Reds out late on with a outstanding aim clearance.
However general it was one other disappointing exhibiting from Liverpool in opposition to a aspect they normally beat with out getting out of second gear.
Sadio Mane might have been Liverpool’s high-rise hero however simply missed Credit score: EPA
Liverpool at the least noticed star summer season signing Thiago return after harm, as a subCredit score: EPA
Liverpool centre-back Nathaniel Phillips brings down Newcastle’s Argentine defender Federico Fernandez Credit score: Getty Photos – Getty
And their kind away from house is changing into increasingly more of a priority, with simply 4 wins from their final 14 matches.
Toon boss Steve Bruce turns 60 right now and, after probably the most depressing of festive durations, even his harshest critics may go away off for a day or two.
That they had their possibilities too, with Alisson springing to the rescue late on to maintain out Ciaran Clark’s header.
Toon talisman Callum Wilson was again having been rested for the 2-0 defeat to Manchester Metropolis, changing Miguel Almiron.
Klopp’s harm woes on the again present no indicators of relenting, with Nathaniel Phillips changing the crocked Joel Matip for his third league begin.
And there was panic inside two minutes when Wilson’s miscued cross from the best noticed Alisson frantically back-pedalling to tip it over the bar.
Wilson was at it once more moments later, flicking on Jacob Murphy’s free-kick simply broad.
For a aspect that hardly will get out their very own half in opposition to the large boys, the Mags have been virtually purring.
Sadi Mane heads broad as Liverpool put the stress on NewcastleCredit score: Ian Hodgson – The Day by day Mail
Whereas they give the impression of being prime relegation candidates with out him, with Wilson they may all the time carry a aim menace.
And having already bagged eight league targets, the ex-Bournemouth striker could have been raging to not have scored 13 minutes in.
Performed in down the left, the 28-year-old had an excessive amount of tempo and energy for Phillips, brushing him off with ease.
The angle was in opposition to him however, one-on-one, you continue to fancied him, with the Reds solely saved by Fabinho’s last-ditch block.
DeAndre Yedlin was subsequent, scuffing nicely broad having discovered acres of house on the best of the field.
Whereas Brucey did his finest Sean Dyche impression on the touchline, growling and snarling at his troops to get caught in, Klopp couldn’t have been extra chilled.
However the champions, as they have been in opposition to West Brom, have been fully off the boil early on.
The Newcastle defence – who will need to have been anticipating a depraved backlash after two dropped factors to the Baggies – barely needed to raise a finger.
However, because the half wore on, Liverpool finally joined the get together and have been solely denied a lead on the break by two excellent Karl Darlow saves.
Karl Darlow and Toon team-mate Ciaran Clark appeared content material with the purposeCredit score: Ian Hodgson – The Day by day Mail
First up was Mohamed Salah, performed in excessive by Jordan Henderson, however Darlow by some means acquired a hand to the Egyptian’s shot and despatched it agonisingly broad.
And simply earlier than half-time, Darlow – the Toon’s star man almost each week – leapt to his proper to beat out Roberto Firmino’s header.
Sadio Mane flashed a header broad from a nook within the 53rd minute, however Brucey’s boys have been nonetheless nicely in it.
Whereas Liverpool have been pinning them deeper and deeper with over 70 per cent possession, the menace was all the time there with the best ball as much as Wilson and keen runners.
However as resolute and uncharacteristically bold as they have been, Klopp’s aspect had the most effective possibilities to win it.
Salah fired one simply broad on his normally trusty left peg earlier than Firmino headed simply broad with 20 minutes remaining.
They have been getting nearer, with Firmino heading simply broad of Darlow’s aim with 20 minutes remaining.
Having missed the final two months by means of harm, Klopp referred to as on Thiago Alcantara from the bench for simply his third look.
On the different finish Clark thought he had snatched a well-known victory late on, with Alisson expertly all the way down to his left to maintain the header out.
However because the clock ticked on it was determined stuff on the again for Newcastle.
And so they have been indebted to Schar’s clearance on the finish to disclaim Sadio Mane earlier than Darlow bailed them out once more with an excellent cease to disclaim Firmino.
