Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
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Kick off for the game is at 3pm.
Confirmation of today’s teams…
đź”´ Here's how we line-up to face @NUFC...#LIVNEW
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2018
TEAM NEWS:
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 26, 2018
Here’s how Newcastle United will line up for this afternoon’s @premierleague clash against @LFC. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/s8EZXUqDJA
We’re under way…
Positive start for Liverpool.
Mane, Salah and Firmino are showing some nice link-up play and look sharp.
Newcastle have predictably set up quite defensively.
They get a chance early on, however, as Fernández meets Kenedy’s corner with his head but can’t direct his effort on target.
Richie puts a good ball in and Joselu escapes the attention of Van Dijk but again can’t find the target. That’s a bad miss.
After nine minutes, Newcastle have started reasonably well.
Down the other, Shaqiri gets on the end of Mane’s cross, but his effort is poor as he fails to trouble Dúbravka.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 NEWCASTLE (LOVREN 11)
It’s an awful header by Lascelles from Robinson’s ball in, and Lovren fires home with a brilliant finish to give the Reds the advantage.
That’s the Croatian defender’s first goal of the season.
Newcastle are really under the cosh at the moment.
Mane has gone close for Liverpool in recent minutes, as the hosts continue to control the play.
The Magpies best way of scoring could be from a set piece, with Matt Richie capable of putting in excellent deliveries.
The omens weren’t good for Newcastle before today.
22 - Newcastle are without a victory in their last 22 visits to Anfield against Liverpool in all competitions (D4 L18), with their last such win coming in November 1995 in the League Cup (1-0). Gift. pic.twitter.com/hZEzO1RO7G
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2018
Salah tries to pick out Firmino with a pass but just overhits it.
Liverpool are so quick in the transition, and Newcastle are really struggling every time their opponents counter.
Alexander-Arnold cuts an inviting ball back across the box.
Mane can’t quite get on the end of it, as Newcastle breathe a sigh of relief not for the first time today.
Liverpool in total control at Anfield. Could be 2 or 3 already. Visitors reliant on sporadic counter attacks.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) December 26, 2018
Diame has been exceptional at snuffing out danger 10 yards outside of his box. 6 or 7 good intercepted already.#LIVNEW
Mane finds Van Dijk and Diamé does well to prevent the defender from getting the shot away.
Moments later, Robinson finds Henderson, whose ambitious attempt goes well over.
Shaqiri’s deflected free kick is tipped over by Dúbravka.
The Slovak goalkeeper has been one of Newcastle’s standout players this season, and he’s going to need to have another stormer today if the Magpies are to get anything out of this game.
HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-0 NEWCASTLE
Here’s the Premier League latest, with Liverpool set to go six points clear and Spurs going level with City in the table as things stand.
You can follow live updates all today’s games here.
The second half has begun…
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
Paul Dummet takes down Mo Salah inside the area.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 NEWCASTLE (SALAH 48)
Salah made the most of it after Dummett dragged him back. It was poor play from the defender.
The Egypt international then makes no mistake from the spot, to score his 25th goal in 28 games at Anfield.
Yedlin beats Robertson. The US international’s ball in finds Joselu, whose flicked header goes narrowly wide.
Liverpool can’t afford to relax just yet, as that moment demonstrates.
It’s been fairly quiet in recent minutes.
The game looks all over and Liverpool can probably afford to make a couple of substitutions and rest key players over the next few minutes.
Fabinho comes on for Liverpool to replace Wijnaldum.
The Brazilian midfielder possesses a decent passing range, and will look to help kill the game with his ability to control it.
Liverpool make another change, as Firmino is replaced by Daniel Sturridge.
Despite the Reds’ clear superiority over their opponents, the Brazilian striker has looked a little out of sorts — giving the ball away too cheaply at times — so it’s no surprise to see him make way.
The visitors make a change, as Chelsea loan player Kenedy, who has been poor, comes off.
In his place comes 21-year-old Newcastle-born midfield Sean Longstaff, who is making his Premier League debut.
10 - Mohamed Salah has scored in 10 Premier League games this season, more than any other player in the competition. Regular.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2018
LIVERPOOL 3-0 NEWCASTLE (SHAQIRI 79)
After some nice build-up play, Alexander-Arnold plays a dangerous ball across the box and Shaqiri taps home.
There’s been a big gap in quality between the sides today and that is reflected in the current scoreline.
LIVERPOOL 4-0 NEWCASTLE (FABINHO 84)
Fabinho heads home unmarked from a Salah corner from about five yards out to ensure a miserable day for Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have made a final change, as Nathaniel Clyne — who continues his comeback from injury — replaces Robertson.
There will be three minutes of time added on…
FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 4-0 NEWCASTLE
Right, that’s all from me for now.
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