Liverpool Player Ratings as Naby Keita secures 3 points for the reds -Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool Player Ratings as Naby Keita secures 3 points for the reds -Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool secured a 1-0 win at Newcastle to top the league.

Premier League (34), St James’ Park

April 30, 2022

Goals: Keita 19′

Alisson – 7 (out of 10)

Alisson made saves but the flag usually goes up shortly after that. Made a particularly good one from Chris Wood in one such situation.

Joe Gomez – 9

Looks comfortable in the position, and also drops into midfield now and again to contribute when needed.

Played a nice early cross into the danger area, even though Mane was offside, and was a threat down the right, helped by Diaz.

Joel Matip – 8

Made a couple of classic Matip runs forward from defence and was part of a very disciplined defensive line.

Virgil van Dijk – 8

Blasted a volley over from a corner – great connection and would have broken the net had it been on target.

Andy Robertson – 8

Had a good chance to create some havoc after Jota had challenged Martin Dubravka, leaving the Newcastle goalie stranded, but he kicked it straight into the keeper’s arms.

Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Jordan Henderson – 8

Henderson took a free-kick, much to the amusement of Alexander-Arnold and Salah as the usual free-kick takers watched from the sidelines..

Helped Liverpool control the game, completing 93% of his passes.

James Milner – 8

The 36-year-old played well as the second midfielder in the three and looked comfortable with the pace of the game – more so than some of those in black and white.

Naby Keita – 9 – (Man of the Match)

Played some nice passes in the final third.

His goal was a classic, his composure on the ball, taking it around the goalkeeper leaving the defence helpless on the line as he shot through them with his weaker left foot.

Luis Diaz – 8

Diaz could not score a goal, either through an assist or by scoring himself, but was an important part of the attack nevertheless.

Sadio Mane – 6

Had a couple of chances, sending one decent opportunity straight at Dubravka and shooting wide from a good Gomez cross. Worked hard for the team

Diogo Jota – 6

Just 19 touches in the first half, but among those was an assist for Keita’s goal, a chance sent off-target after a great touch to control, and a brilliant header from a Henderson cross which was saved.

SUBSTITUTES

Mohamed Salah (on for Mane, 69′) – 6

Had a good match overall but nothing quite fell for him.

Fabinho (on for Henderson, 69′) – 7

Brought in more physical protection in front of the backline. A planned sub, no doubt.

Thiago (on for Milner, 78′) – N/A

His technicality helped Liverpool keep the ball see out the game in the last 25 minutes.

Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones, Kostas Tsimikas, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott.

In other news, Daniel Sturridge shares hilarious memes of Keita impersonating him during Everton game