Liverpool moved a step closer to securing their second Premier League title in five years, defeating Newcastle 2-0 at Anfield to stretch their lead at the top to 13 points.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister found the net in each half, allowing Arne Slot’s side to take full advantage of yet another slip by second-placed Arsenal.
The victory left little doubt among the Anfield faithful that May or perhaps even sooner could see a record-equalling 20th league title return to Merseyside.
Despite serving the first of a two-match touchline ban for his red card in the Merseyside derby, Slot remained a calm presence in the stands.
Publicly, neither he nor his senior players will entertain title talk, but with just one league defeat this season, it is hard to envision Liverpool relinquishing their commanding lead.
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Newcastle, missing star striker Alexander Isak due to a groin injury, struggled to cope with Liverpool’s fluid and dynamic play.
The match, seen as a preview of the upcoming Carabao Cup final, was dominated by the home side from the outset.
Though Mohamed Salah didn’t add to his goal tally, the Egyptian did set up Mac Allister for Liverpool’s second, marking his 52nd goal involvement of the season.
Szoboszlai’s opener in the 11th minute brought up Liverpool’s 100th goal in all competitions this season, with Mac Allister’s strike boosting their league-best tally to 66 goals in 28 matches.
Controversy briefly surfaced when Salah appeared to be brought down by Lewis Hall in the box, but referee Stuart Atwell judged the Liverpool forward to have committed the foul.
However, the respite for Newcastle was brief. Luis Diaz’s clever cutback found Szoboszlai, whose left-footed strike threaded through both Sandro Tonali and Dan Burn to leave goalkeeper Nick Pope stranded.
Newcastle’s best opportunity came through Callum Wilson, standing in for Isak. Despite breaking Liverpool’s high line, Wilson failed to convert his one-on-one chance against Alisson Becker an opportunity the visitors could ill afford to squander.
By the time Szoboszlai missed a chance to double his tally, news of Arsenal’s goalless draw at Nottingham Forest had filtered through, sparking jubilant chants of “We’re going to win the league” from the Liverpool supporters.
The anxiety that lingered during Liverpool’s last home match against Wolves was nowhere to be seen, replaced instead by the confidence born of Arsenal’s recent slip-up and an ever-widening gap at the top of the table.
Mac Allister’s goal, a composed finish from Salah’s assist, showcased Liverpool’s lethal counter-attacking prowess.
The Argentine started the move himself by intercepting a loose pass from Tonali, driving forward before applying the final touch.
Even when Diaz couldn’t finish from Salah’s cross, the Egyptian’s attempts to extend his scoring streak to nine games were met with understanding.
With the game comfortably in hand, Liverpool’s players and fans alike could afford a rare moment of indulgence as they edge ever closer to Premier League glory.
