Liverpool vs. Newcastle United: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Liverpool dominated much of their Monday night Premier League match at Anfield and ran out deserved 2-0 winners over Newcastle United.
Raheem Sterling scored an early opener for the Reds, who really should have added more goals to their tally before the break. As it was, it took until the second half for Joe Allen to seal the win, before Moussa Sissoko received two yellow cards in quick succession and was sent-off for the visitors.
Here are all our winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Philippe Coutinho
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This was, quite simply, a first-class showing from Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian gave a total masterclass in creative play, in dribbling with purpose and in off-the-ball movement—all from an unfamiliar starting role as Liverpool's centre-forward.
His constant movement out of the front line, his insane footwork and his wonderful vision meant it was an absolute Vine-fest of one-touchery and bamboozlement for the Newcastle defence to worry about. With better finishing from his team-mates or a little more luck, he might have had a few assists on the night.
Loser: John Carver
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John Carver doesn't have long to convince the Newcastle board that he is the man to take the club forward into the summer and beyond, and five successive defeats in the league aren't exactly staking his claim in the right way.
His team were ripped apart for half an hour and lucky to be within a single goal of Liverpool at the break, with only a short spell either side of half-time seeing the Magpies show any semblance of attacking intent mixed with defensive awareness.
Newcastle aren't totally safe yet, and the nerves will only increase until they pick up another win.
Winner: Simon Mignolet
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For all Liverpool's dominance and deserving of the points, Simon Mignolet was a pivotal figure in the match.
At 1-0, with a few chances wasted by his team, the Belgian goalkeeper pulled off two fantastic saves to keep his side ahead—most notably from Ayoze Perez's header just before the break, sprawling away to the right to claw the ball to safety.
Mignolet got back to clean sheet ways and showed good aerial ability, distribution and organisation for the entire 90 minutes.
Loser: Mike Williamson
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There were only two natural centre-backs listed to start the match, and one of them was the out-of-form and out-of-favour Dejan Lovren, so it took quite a bit of effort for Mike Williamson to not be the best one on the pitch.
As it was, he was hopelessly unsure in the first half as Coutinho continually dipped out of the front line for the Reds, leaving big spaces behind for Jordon Ibe to run into when Williamson attempted to follow the No. 10 out. The Newcastle defender was then at fault for Liverpool's killer second goal.
He lost the ball to Fabio Borini inside his own half, which led to a corner, then was unable to clear the ball when it fell his way from the set piece—resulting in Joe Allen lashing the ball high into the net. It could have been worse, as Dejan Lovren beat him in the air moments later, but that effort went just over.
Winner: Liverpool's Slight Potential Top-Four Hopes
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It's not quite over yet. It should be, but Manchester City won't let it be—they continue to dangle the carrot, just as they did last year, probably before whipping it away in one hefty bite again...just as they did last year.
The carrot last year was the title—this year it's a top-four finish. Defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United should have ended the Reds' hopes of finishing in the all-important first-to-fourth spots, but City's slide and this win over Newcastle mean Liverpool sit four points below the dotted line once more.
With six games still to play, it's going to be close, and the Reds will have to finish the season near-perfect...but all they can do now is play well and hope for the best.
