The courage and character of these Reds is something altogether different. Refusing to surrender their title dreams, Liverpool found a way to win at St. James Park and beat Newcastle 3-2.
The midweek buzzsaw that of Lionel Messi had Liverpool licking their wounds after losing in a match where they played well but were dealt a cruel blow away from home.
Returning to the isle and on the road again, the Reds found themselves in a back and forth battle that required digging deep to get the result.
Liverpool struck early with a Virgil van Dijk header from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner to take the lead but then strangely surrender an equalizer within 10 minutes.
Within another 10, Mo Salah extended his league-leading scoring with his 22nd goal, turning in an Alexander-Arnold cross.
The Reds had chances to pull away but failed to finish off the Magpies and paid the price when Solomon Rondon pounced on a loose ball in the box after a corner to square the match once again.
The next half-hour saw Liverpool toil to find any advantage they could. With their season on the line and in need of a late goal, Divock Origi found the net again in the waning minutes of a match to save Liverpool’s title challenge and put the pressure back on Manchester City.
Here are four findings from the match.
Divock Delivers
While his appearances have been curtailed, Divock Origi has made the most of key moments to make his campaign undoubtedly memorable.
Having already scored a legendary goal at the death of the derby against Everton, he found another finish to ensure a Liverpool win when they needed it most. His contributions may be fewer in number but they have been decisive as they get.
Since the heady days of his 2016-17 run of form, Origi’s has struggled to restart his career. His ascendancy cut short by a horror tackle that sidelined him for months robbed him of becoming the kind of squad player that seemed likely.
He has endured a difficult time since. Still, his three goals on the season loom as some of the most decisive in this record-breaking season.
Sweating Salah
Since Mo Salah rediscovered his scoring form, Liverpool have been flying. Even in the midweek slip in Spain, the Egyptian caused problems and was unlucky not to get a goal.
Against Newcastle, he refound some of the sharpness that abandoned him against Barca. For awhile, his 22nd goal of the season looks like all Liverpool would need, despite proving not the case.
Then in the second half, Salah suffered a collision with the keeper that slammed his head to the ground putting him in considerable distress.
Crumpled on the pitch for some minutes, he was eventually stretchered off immobilized for further treatment. While it is too early to know, it could be another season ending blow for Liverpool’s talisman.
Alexander-Arnold Assists
Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to the side with a man-of-the-match performance. The fullback dialed in his delivery all evening in Newcastle.
The short spell seemed to do him some good. He looked refreshed, and his two assists brought him level with his counterpart Andrew Robertson on the left side with 11 in the league.
The local lad may have been lucky that Christian Atsu scored. Having prevented a scoring chance with his arm that was not unnaturally far from his body, he would have forced a decision by the referee.
Now with a league match left, both fullbacks can break the record for most by a defender in a Premier League season, Alexander-Arnold is just 20 years-old.
Failing Fortune
As strong as Liverpool’s squad has looked over the course of the season, flaws have appeared in the final run-in. Misfortune has reared its ugly head and made key players major question marks at the most crucial moments of the season.
With the midweek second leg miracle needed against Barcelona, Liverpool can ill afford to be without two of their three star attacking forwards.
Given Naby Keita’s end, after finally finding form and offering something altogether different to the side, the Reds are potentially reliving heartbreaking end to another exceptional season.
Should Salah’s head injury be significant, it would be another painfully premature end for the star. Meanwhile Firmino’s fitness remains a question despite his cameo appearance at the Camp Nou. Both will be needed to have a genuine chance of overtaking Barcelona.