[ad_1]
A lacklustre Liverpool limped out of 2020 as they have been held to a goalless draw by Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The guests had a number of probabilities, significantly within the second half, however lacked the innovative wanted to complete off Bruce’s spectacular Magpies, simply three days after they have been held to a draw by West Brom at Anfield.
Football
Best of 2020: Euro Icons – 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo – A final that was all about Ronaldo
13 HOURS AGO
Some extent sees Liverpool lead the Premier League by three factors heading into 2021 having performed a sport greater than closest challengers Manchester United, whereas Newcastle’s level sees them leapfrog Crystal Palace within the desk and gives hope of a brighter spell forward within the new 12 months.
Newcastle’s Callum Wilson, who began instead of Miguel Almiron in the one change from the aspect who misplaced to Manchester Metropolis, was full of life all through the primary half, forcing Alisson into an early save. And it was Wilson who went closest to open the scoring for the hosts early on when he out-muscled Nathaniel Phillips earlier than being denied by a Fabinho block on the close to submit.
Liverpool began slowly however grew into the match earlier than half-time and would have gone in forward have been it not for an outstanding fingertip save from Karl Darlow to disclaim Mohamed Salah when the Egyptian was clear via.
The probabilities stored coming after the break, with Salah and Roberto Firmino lacking additional golden probabilities for the guests and Fabian Schar producing a surprising clearance off the road to disclaim Sadio Mane late on.
However Liverpool simply couldn’t discover the winner in a tense closing ten minutes as Newcastle held on for a degree that their spirited efficiency deserved.
Klopp: ‘2020 had one spotlight and many challenges’
Speaking Level – The place has Liverpool’s spark gone?
Liverpool didn’t appear to be themselves for a lot of the evening at St James’ Park, and whereas they nonetheless really feel they need to have gained it, Jurgen Klopp’s aspect will make the journey again to Merseyside understanding that one thing is barely off-kilter for the time being.
It could possibly be so simple as the congested fixture record catching up with the gamers’ health, however the truth that Mo Salah and Firmino each missed very presentable probabilities may also be a fear for Klopp. The defending champions have finished an outstanding job dealing with the lack of their first-choice central defenders in current weeks, however there isn’t sufficient of a niche on the prime of the desk for Liverpool to have the ability to afford to spurn factors like they did this night too many extra instances.
Klopp may have his fingers crossed that the attracts to West Brom and Newcastle are only a blip, and he can be glad about some sort scheduling that sees his staff held again for the Monday evening sport within the subsequent matchday, affording his gamers a five-day turnaround – fairly the rarity right now of 12 months.
Man of the Match – Karl Darlow (Newcastle United)
The Newcastle keeper produced some beautiful saves within the match, none higher than his fingertip cease to disclaim Salah within the first half. Because the strain constructed late on it was Darlow who again and again denied Liverpool, and he deservedly received a hug from his supervisor at full-time.
This wasn’t a case of a goalkeeper bailing his staff out, nevertheless, as Newcastle produced a superb defensive efficiency all-round, limiting Liverpool to comparatively few sights of purpose. However when these alternatives did come for the guests, Darlow was equal to the duty.
Participant Scores
Newcastle: Darlow 9, Yedlin 8, Schar 8, Fernandez 7, Clark 7, Ritchie 7, Hayden 6, M. Longstaff 6, Murphy 6, Joelinton 6, Wilson 8. Subs: Almiron 6, Lewis 6
Liverpool: Alisson 7, Alexander-Arnold 7, Phillips 5, Fabinho 6, Robertson 7, Milner 5, Henderson 6, Jones 5, Mane 7, Salah 6, Firmino 5. Subs: Wijnaldum 6, Thiago 6, Shaqiri 6.
Key Moments
13’ – Wilson makes Phillips look a bit foolish with an outstanding run that brushes the centre-back apart. The angle on the finish of the run is sort of a good one for a shot, but it surely nonetheless takes Fabinho to come back throughout and deny the Newcastle ahead with a last-ditch block.
34’ – That’s an outstanding cease from Darlow to maintain Newcastle stage. Henderson’s floated cross excessive isn’t tracked by the centre-backs and Salah is clear via, just for the Newcastle stopper to hurry out and get a vital contact along with his proper fingertips to ship the shot extensive.
81’ – Darlow saves onto the shin of Mane and the ball loops as much as seemingly current a tap-in for the Liverpool ahead… just for Schar to steam in from nowhere and clear off the road. That is sensational defending.
89’ – How did that not go in?! Darlow makes a surprising save from a Liverpool nook after which will get rapidly again on his ft to assist clear the hazard. The save was much more spectacular as a result of he palmed it away from the ready Salah.
Key Stats
This was the primary goalless draw between Newcastle and Liverpool since 1974.
Newcastle have not misplaced at St James’ Park to a reigning Premier League Champion within the final 4 years, successful two and drawing two of these video games.
Liverpool picked up 77 factors on 2020, probably the most of any time within the Premier League. It’s the third calendar 12 months in a row that Jurgen Klopp’s aspect have topped that specific stat.
Premier League
Solskjaer’s luck is running out – Parker on United’s title challenge
17 HOURS AGO
Championship
Sheffield Wednesday owner says payments will be delayed, defends Pulis sack
18 HOURS AGO
[ad_2]
Source link