Newcastle vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Naby Keita nets winner

Liverpool are trying to keep up the pressure on Man City atop the Premier League table (REUTERS)

Liverpool travel to Newcastle hoping to climb above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table – temporarily at least.

With their title rivals not due to play until later on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp’s side can pile the pressure on as they continue their title pusuit at the business end of the campaign.

There were few signs of weariness in a comfortable midweek Champions League semi-final first leg win over Villarreal, but Newcastle will be hopeful of continuing their own recent good form against a side facing a short turnaround.

The quadruple is still a realistic target for the Reds and victory at St James’ Park would cap a seismic week that has also seen Klopp sign a contract extension until 2026 and talisman Mo Salah named men’s Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association.

Follow all the action from a crucial game at St James’ Park below:

Newcastle vs Liverpool

19’ – GOAL! Keita finishes smartly (0-1)

Newcastle XI: Dúbravka, Burn, Krafth, Schär, Targett, Shelvey, Willock, Bruno Guimarães, Saint-Maximin, Almirón, Joelinton

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Keita; Diaz, Mane, Jota

Liverpool will go top of the Premier League with victory

Newcastle United FC 0 – 1 Liverpool FC

Full-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

14:29 , Dylan Terry

Liverpool celebrate a vital win in their pursuit of the Premier League title. Over to you Manchester City…

Full-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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Well, isn’t that a stat? Liverpool join an elite club in winning at St James’ Park…

Full-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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FT: That’s it! Another three points for Liverpool and they are back on top of the Premier League table, two points clear of Manchester City.

Naby Keita’s 19th-minute strike was the difference in the end as Newcastle failed to muster much in the way of a response.

Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah all had chances to add to Liverpool’s lead but it didn’t matter in the end.

Story continues

Over to Manchester City against Leeds at 5.30pm.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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90+5 mins: Fabinho has a go from the free-kick but it’s over the top.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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90+4 mins: Guimaraes finds some space and tries to slide it into Murphy down the right but Robertson does wonderfully to get across and get rid of the danger. The then charges forward himself and Liverpool end up winning a free-kick on the edge of the Newcastle box.

Game over.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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90+3 mins: Newcastle have a goal kick. Dubravka needs to get it forward as quickly as possible.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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90+2 mins: Shelvey takes Fabinho out with a horrible challenge from behind. Liverpool can run a few more seconds down.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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90+1 mins: Newcastle have the ball but they are struggling to get it forward with any sort of purpose.

They eventually play the long ball but Almiron is caught offside.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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90 mins: A minimum of four minutes of stoppage time will be played.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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89 mins: Newcastle win a free-kick on the halfway line and Targett lumps it into the Liverpool area but Van Dijk clears.

The visitors then break as Salah speeds clear but his final touch gives Targett the chance to get back at him and Dubravka is able to capitalise and gather.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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88 mins: Can Newcastle create one last chance? They have struggled to make any real inroads in the first 88 minutes of this game.

Only two minutes left plus stoppage time for the hosts to find an equaliser.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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87 mins: CHANCE! As good an opportunity as Newcastle have had all afternoon.

Saint-Maximin is on the end of a throw-in routine and feeds it to Guimaraes on the edge of the Liverpool box. He steadies himself before trying his luck but Alisson is equal to it with a comfortable save.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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86 mins: Wood challenges Thiago for the ball in the air but commits a foul in the process. Liverpool taking the sting out of it.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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85 mins: SUB! Josh Murphy is on for Emil Krafth for the last five minutes of this one. Eddie Howe rolling the dice with an attacking change.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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84 mins: Newcastle have the ball back but Liverpool’s shape is utterly imperious and the hosts have to go back to their defenders before attempting to build once more.

Eventually Keita wins the ball back and Liverpool break. Keita finds Diaz on the left and he beats Krafth before trying to sneak one in the near post but it hits the side-netting.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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82 mins: Thiago feeds a nice pass into Jota who turns delightfully inside the area but Burn then fights back at him and clears the danger.

Thiago already pulling the strings just minutes after coming on. Exactly the sort of player you want to see out a match like this.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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82 mins: 10 minutes for Newcastle to find a surprise equaliser. 10 minutes until Liverpool will return to the top of the Premier League table.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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80 mins: Another good save from Dubravka! The game is becoming stretched and that is likely to play into the visitors’ hands.

Jota drifts in from the right and tries his luck with a left-footed strike that Dubravka is equal to at his near post.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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78 mins: James Milner goes off and is replaced by Thiago. Not bad.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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78 mins: CHANCE! Oh, it was offside again but Chris Wood didn’t know.

Saint-Maximin bursts in between the lines and slides a ball in for Wood. Wood takes a touch and fires into the chest of Alisson. Then the flag goes up.

The New Zealander was half a yard offside. Just as well, he should have buried that.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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76 mins: Newcastle have to do better in the final third! Shelvey plays a wonderful ball over the top for Saint-Maximin and for a moment it’s two-on-two on the edge of the Liverpool box.

Saint-Maximin sizes Matip up but then gets his control horribly wrong and the chance is effectively gone. Really poor.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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74 mins: CHANCES! Diaz skips away from Krafth and stands the ball up on the byline. Salah controls it wonderfully inside the box and tries to bend one towards the top corner but Dubravka comfortably saves.

Liverpool are then in again as they find Jota in behind, only for his effort to be blasted straight at Dubravka who got his body behind it.

Newcastle on the ropes.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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72 mins: Diaz fires a venomous drive across the box which deflects and nearly finds Salah but Targett flings a boot out and provides a goalscoring interception.

Superb defending from the Aston Villa loanee.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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70 mins: SUBS! So changes for both teams.

Chris Wood is replacing Joe Willock for Newcastle.

Mo Salah and Fabinho are on for Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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68 mins: Sadio Mane has gone in the book. He tried to meet Van Dijk’s header from a corner but caught Dubravka after the keeper gathered the ball.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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66 mins: Free-kick for Newcastle inside the Liverpool half. It’s lofted into the box by Shelvey and Burn hooks it back across goal for Joelinton but the flag is up.

Liverpool’s offside trap is so, so effective.

Meanwhile, Chris Wood is getting ready to come on for the home side.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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64 mins: CHANCE! Oh Sadio Mane has to make it two!

Gomez flies down the right-hand side yet again and cuts it back for Mane who is unmarked 10 yards out but can only side-foot his effort wide of the near post.

Will Liverpool rue that miss?

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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62 mins: England manager Gareth Southgate is sat next to Newcastle board member Amanda Staveley this afternoon. Oh to be a fly on that wall.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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61 mins: SUB! Jamaal Lascelles is replacing Fabian Schar here for Newcastle. The Swiss centre-back limps off with a problem.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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60 mins: Little lull in the game after that spell of Newcastle pressure. Looks like Mohamed Salah and Fabinho are not too far away from coming on.

Milner finds Jota in behind with a bouncing ball but Dubravka is out smartly. He finds its way to Robertson who tries to chip the Newcastle keeper but it’s straight into his arms.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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58 mins: It’s been better from Newcastle in the last few minutes. They are pinning Liverpool back into their own half.

Almiron finds Guimaraes down the right but he waits too long to deliver it into the middle and Liverpool end up winning the goal kick.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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55 mins: Shelvey tries his luck but Milner was crouching down to the side of the wall and managed to head it away from danger. The Liverpool midfielder has stayed down. Play is stopped.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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54 mins: Guimaraes finds Saint-Maximin with an intelligent pass into the right channel. The Newcastle man’s first touch is poor and Matip can nick it from under his feet before drawing a free-kick for Liverpool.

The home fans are furious but moments later win a free-kick of their own as Matip commits a foul. This is Jonjo Shelvey range. Left of centre, 25 yards from goal.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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52 mins: YELLOW! Willock turns Gomez on the touchline and the Liverpool defender cynically brings him down. Gets a yellow card for his troubles.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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52 mins: Liverpool break at the other end as Jota lays it off to Diaz and his effort deflects behind for a corner.

Milner sends the set-piece into the middle and it drops for Keita but his shot is blocked by Shelvey.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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50 mins: Almiron finds some space on the flank and sends a wicked delivery into the box which Matip does well to head clear.

Saint-Maximin then tries to dribble beyond three Liverpool shirts on the edge of the box but Milner does enough to ensure he loses control of it.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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48 mins: Gomez drives down the right and pulls the ball back for Diaz but he can’t get it under control and Willock pinches possession. He drives out of his own box and Keita commits the foul.

Liverpool dominating the ball again in the opening minutes of the second half.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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46 mins: Back underway at St James’ Park. Liverpool get the ball rolling for the second period.

Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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The players are back out on the pitch. We are nearly ready for the second half. Can Newcastle do anything to halt this remarkable Liverpool run?

Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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Not that you need reminding, but Liverpool will move two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with a win here at St James’ Park.

Manchester City then have the opportunity to respond at Elland Road against Leeds this evening.

Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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Newcastle are still in this game. But with Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Thiago, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones all on the substitutes bench, it does look rather bleak.

Such strength in depth now for Klopp.

Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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HT: There is the half-time whistle. Naby Keita’s strike in the 19th minute separates the two sides. It was lovely play between the goalscorer and Diogo Jota before he sat Martin Dubravka down and fire the ball beyond the Newcastle players on the line.

Newcastle were unhappy as they felt James Milner fouled Fabian Schar in the build-up, but VAR Mike Dean agreed that the goal could stand.

Jota went close for Liverpool with a superb header which Dubravka tipped over the top. Miguel Almiron had a goal correctly disallowed for offside.

Liverpool lead at the break.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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45+2 mins: Newcastle work a nice move to the edge of the Liverpool box before Almiron goes down under pressure from Matip and Robertson. Not enough in it for Andre Marriner.

That should be that for the first period.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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45 mins: Two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

So far this game has gone exactly how Jurgen Klopp would have wanted. After a bright start from the hosts, Liverpool have dominated the remaining 40 minutes or so.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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44 mins: Joelinton needs to be careful – he is really fired up out there. A nothing free-kick sees the Newcastle man have a nibble at Diaz after the ball has gone. He then shoves Jota and Keita.

YELLOWS. Andre Marriner books both Joelinton and Jota. Needless.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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43 mins: From the resulting corner the ball drops to Milner on the edge of the box but his venomous drive drifts a couple of yards wide.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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42 mins: Van Dijk does absolutely superbly to work his way out of trouble after a pressure pass from Alisson. There were three black and white shirts around the Dutch defender but he is able to evade their challenges and find Robertson with a bafflingly relaxed piece of play.

CHANCE! Liverpool then work the ball out wide to Henderson who sends a lovely cross in for Jota. The Portuguese forward swivels and heads towards the top corner but Dubravka is equal to it with the acrobatic save.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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40 mins: DISALLOWED GOAL! Guimaraes slides Almiron in behind the Liverpool defence. He looks offside but plays on anyway. Alisson gets a fingertip to the ball but can’t stop Almiron from going around him and poking the ball home.

Then the flag goes up. He was a good few yards offside.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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38 mins: Keita slides a pass into Mane 25 yards from goal. He looks up and tries to beat Guimaraes who gets his body across but commits a foul in the process.

Good opportunity to have a shot at goal for Liverpool – even without Salah and Alexander-Arnold.

It’s Henderson who tries his luck but it’s a good 10 yards wide of Dubravka’s left-hand post.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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36 mins: CHANCE! Liverpool break as Newcastle are caught upfield. Diaz powers through the middle of the pitch and lays it off to Mane inside the area but his right-footed effort is too close to Dubravka and the Slovak can make a routine save.

Klopp has his head in his hands on the touchline. He knows that was a big chance to potentially put this game to bed before half-time.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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34 mins: Shelvey clears the corner away but Liverpool have it back inside the Newcastle half. It’s becoming a little too much attack vs defence for Eddie Howe’s liking.

Liverpool well on top now.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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32 mins: Henderson lofts a delightful pass over the top for Diaz. He feeds it back to Gomez who delivers a nice cross into the box but Newcastle clear.

Gomez has it back and tries a low cross which Burn turns behind for another Liverpool corner.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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He is how the deadlock was broken through Liverpool’s Naby Keita.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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30 mins: Guimaraes wins a foul deep inside the Liverpool half on the right touchline. Milner the culprate.

Shelvery delivers and Robertson heads powerfully clear at the near post. Newcastle will need to do more with set-pieces like those if they are to put pressure on the Liverpool back line this afternoon.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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28 mins: St James’ Park is getting quite aggressive now. They are willing their players on, but they can also feel that Liverpool are getting on top.

Here’s a half chance for the hosts though. They find Saint-Maximin on the edge of the area and he tries to let fly but catches his attempt all wrong as it trickles wide.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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27 mins: Liverpool come forward dangerously again. Keita finds Diaz on the right side of the penalty area. He breezes past Targett and for a moment looks like he could go down but decides to stay on his feet. He pulls it back into the centre but Shelvey clears.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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25 mins: It was a fair challenge from Milner on Schar and we came to the right decision with that goal.

It was a lovely interchange between Keita and Jota to allow the Guinean the time and space to round Dubravka and fire into the net.

Great goal. Newcastle frustrated but they’ll need to get on with it.

Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool

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23 mins: This will be a major test of Newcastle’s character here now. Liverpool could run away with the game if they are not careful.

GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool (Keita, 19)

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19 mins: Liverpool make the breakthrough and it’s Naby Keita.

Controversy as Schar is caught by Milner but referee Andre Marriner plays on. Keita plays a neat one-two with Jota and then leaves Dubravka on the floor before firing past three Newcastle players on the line.

The VAR Mike Dean had a look but Milner got the ball ahead of Schar. Goal stands.

Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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18 mins: Mane’s sloppy pass into Jota is intercepted by Burn and Newcastle try to break immediately. They play it straight up towards Saint-Maximin and for a moment he looks to be the favourite ahead of Alisson but the Brazilian crucially gets there just in front of him to put it out for a throw.

Interesting game. Liverpool with the ball, Newcastle with the pace on the break.

Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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16 mins: Mane and Jota are switching between the centre and left-hand side. Diaz is the one of the three sticking to his position on the right.

And there’s a chance! Diaz works it out to Gomez on the right and he sends a low ball towards Mane at the back post but Krafth gets in front of him to clear it away from danger.

Flag was up as Mane strayed a little beyond Newcastle’s defensive line, but Krafth wasn’t to know that. Good defending.

Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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14 mins: Liverpool beginning to enjoy more lengthy spells of possession. Jordan Henderson is receiving boos from the Newcastle fans as a former Sunderland player.

Van Dijk tries to find Jota with a diagonal ball from the halfway line but it’s out of play for a Newcastle throw.

Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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12 mins: Saint-Maximin is floating around a little left of centre just at the moment. He dribbles past a couple of challenges and lays it off to Almiron on the edge of the box, but there are a host of red shirts around him and the Paraguayan can’t get his shot off.

Liverpool come forward as Gomez sends a cross towards the back post… straight out of play.

Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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10 mins: Joe Gomez’s throw-in is headed behind by Dan Burn for a corner to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s men growing into the game after a tricky opening five minutes.

Jota swings in the corner and Van Dijk is there to thump a volley well over the top. Chance for the Dutchman.

Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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8 mins: Robertson tries to pick Mane out with a lovely through ball inside the left channel, but Dubravka is smartly out to gather ahead of the Liverpool forward.

Newcastle pressing very highly. Alisson and Matip look to play it out from the back and Joelinton almost nips in.

The visitors do work their way out of trouble though and make it all the way to the edge of the Newcastle box. Keita fires a low shot towards the bottom corner and it whistles just wide of the post. It took a deflection, but a goal kick is wrongly given.

Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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6 mins: Robertson sends the free-kick into the box and Krafth gets his head to the ball to spoon it up into the air. It kindly falls for Jota inside the penalty area but his shot is always travelling over the top.

Rather open feel to this game early on.

Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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4 mins: Crossfield ball towards Mane is a little to heavy as Liverpool’s first foray into the home side’s half comes to nothing.

Saint-Maximin then has a run through the Liverpool midfield but Henderson does enough to close the gap and win the ball back for his side.

Jota is then fouled in the Newcastle half. Chance for Robertson to deliver into the box.

Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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2 mins: Newcastle straight on the front foot at the start of this one as Guimaraes looks to slide a ball into Joelinton who started over on that left-hand side. Saint-Maximin is through the middle, with Almiron hugging the right side.

Alisson plays a worrying pass straight to Joelinton but Newcastle fail to capitalise as a scuffed shot from Shelvey is comfortably gathered by the Brazilian keeper.

Good start from the hosts.

Kick-off: Newcastle 0-0 Liverpool

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1 min: KICK-OFF! Here we go then at St James’ Park. Referee Andre Marriner blows his whistle and Newcastle get us underway.

Newcastle vs Liverpool

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Superb atmosphere at St James’ Park this Saturday lunchtime. There is a real big game feeling to today’s Premier League clash.

Kick-off is next.

Newcastle vs Liverpool

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Quite the turnaround when it comes to Newcastle fans’ opinion of Joelinton. He is suddenly the messiah.

Credit to him, he has significantly improved in recent months.

(Getty Images)

Newcastle vs Liverpool

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So then, five minutes until kick-off. Can Newcastle land a huge blow to Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes?

Liverpool are unbeaten in 14 league matches and are currently the most in-form team in Europe. It’s a rather tall order.

Joelinton finally finding his feet

12:20 , Dylan Terry

Joelinton has been the most improved player for Newcastle since Eddie Howe took over from Steve Bruce.

He has filled in as a midfielder but today looks set to lead the line once more, looking to build on the two goals away at Norwich last weekend.

(Getty Images)

Newcastle vs Liverpool

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Feel like it’s necessary to mention that Howe was helped by the £90 million spent in the January transfer window.

That said, Kieran Trippier has been injured for much of the second half of the season. Chris Wood has failed to hit the ground running.

Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes have come good in recent weeks, but Howe has definitely improved players who were already at the club – Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, Jonjo Shelvey.

Howe did he do it?

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Eddie Howe has helped Newcastle move from the relegation zone to the top half of the Premier League table.

Just moments ago he outlined how he has improved their form.

Newcastle vs Liverpool

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A quick reminder of the task ahead of Newcastle this Saturday lunchtime.

Liverpool have only lost two Premier League games so far this season. The last of those came against Leicester on 28 December.

Since then, they have dropped just four points – in draws against Chelsea and Manchester City.

As well as their fine Premier League run, they have also won the Carabao Cup, reached the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-finals.

Quite remarkable.

No Mo

12:08 , Dylan Terry

No Mohamed Salah in the starting line-up for Liverpool today. He returned to goalscoring form against Manchester United with a brace. He then provided an assist in the win over Everton and another against Villarreal on Wednesday.

No doubt, Klopp will call upon him if he needs some extra firepower in the second half.

(Getty Images)

Newcastle vs Liverpool head-to-head

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Obviously, we have had some classic Premier League matches between Newcastle and Liverpool in the past. The pair of 4-3s spring to mind.

But, rather unsurprisingly, Liverpool have dominated the North East outfit in recent seasons.

Newcastle have not beaten Liverpool since December 2015, just one month after Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield. That was a 2-0 victory which came thanks to an own goal from Martin Skrtel and a second half striker from Georginio Wijnaldum – who would go on to play for Liverpool.

Since then, Liverpool have won six of the 10 meetings between the two sides – with the other four matches ending in draws.

Newcastle team news

11:59 , Luke Baker

Obviously the big team news is that Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been rotated and onlt start on the bench but Newcastle also made three changes to their starting XI.

Chris Wood has been left out for the second game in a row but Fabian Schar, fresh from penning a new two-year contract, returns to partner Dan Burn at the back in place of captain Jamaal Lascelles.

Jonjo Shelvey comes in for Sean Longstaff to face his former club, while Miguel Almiron, the match-winner on Tyneside last time out against Crystal Palace, replaces Jacob Murphy.

A reminder of the Magpies’ line-up:

Newcastle XI: Dúbravka, Burn, Krafth, Schär, Targett, Shelvey, Willock, Bruno Guimarães, Saint-Maximin, Almirón, Joelinton

Jurgen Klopp promises not to hold Pep Lijnders back after new Liverpool extension

11:55 , Luke Baker

Jurgen Klopp has vowed not to stand in Pep Lijnders’ way in his bid to become a manager but has told his assistant he has plenty of time to realise his ambitions and that, for now, he is better off at Liverpool.

Lijnders has made no secret of his ambition to manage but committed his future to Liverpool along with Klopp when they, and his other assistant Peter Krawietz, all signed four-year contract extensions on Thursday.

Klopp believes the 39-year-old Dutchman has all the attributes to succeed on his own but warned it could be tougher to take charge of a struggling side.

And the 54-year-old feels part of the reason for his own prowess is that he has built a fine backroom staff, consisting largely of younger coaches.

Jurgen Klopp promises not to hold Pep Lijnders back after new Liverpool extension

Jurgen Klopp enters legendary status as Liverpool’s modern-day Bill Shankly

11:47 , Luke Baker

Jurgen Klopp looked a broken man. He faced the cameras after the 1-0 defeat by Fulham at Anfield almost 14 months ago – Liverpool’s sixth loss in seven games – but could not summon any of his trademark ebullience, writes Tony Evans.

He had already said that he would take a break from management in 2024 but seasoned Klopp watchers wondered whether he would even make it that far. An era appeared to be coming to an end.

The news that not only is Klopp going nowhere in the immediate future but he has signed a contract to keep him on Merseyside for the next four years will cause massive celebrations on the Kop. Life is pretty good for Liverpool fans anyway – the team are chasing an unprecedented four trophies in a season and are arguably the greatest side in Anfield’s history – but this announcement is the best result of the year. To supporters, Klopp is more than the man who picks the side. He transcends that role.

Jurgen Klopp enters legendary status as Liverpool’s modern-day Bill Shankly

Jurgen Klopp not sure new deal will make huge difference to players’ decisions

11:40 , Luke Baker

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp does not believe his new deal will be the deciding factor on whether the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane commit their long-term futures to the club.

The pair, along with Roberto Firmino and midfielder Naby Keita, have contracts which expire next summer and negotiations have dragged on for some time.

With Klopp now staying until 2026, there is a greater degree of security at the club but the German is not convinced that will make a huge difference to individual players’ decisions.

“That is more a question for the boys, what it exactly means for them but all fine, my relationship with them is great,” he said.

Jurgen Klopp not sure new deal will make huge difference to players’ decisions

Salah and Trent on the bench

11:39 , Luke Baker

Hardly a surprise that Liverpool are rotating, given their hectic fixture schedule but with Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold only on the bench, is there an ever greater chance of Newcastle getting something from the game now?

A front three of Diaz-Mane-Jota is hardly weak and Joe Gomez is a more-than-capable fill-in at right-back but it will be interesting to see how the Reds do without two of their talismen.

Liverpool vs Newcastle team news

11:32 , Luke Baker

Big news out of the Liverpool camp as Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are only on the bench.

NewcastleXI: Dúbravka, Burn, Krafth, Schär, Targett, Shelvey, Willock, Bruno Guimarães, Saint-Maximin, Almirón, Joelinton

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Keita; Diaz, Mane, Jota

Team news imminent

11:27 , Luke Baker

Not long until we find out today’s team news for the lunchtime fixture. Less than five minutes until both squads are revealed.

Eddie Howe had hoped that a couple of injury returnees would be able to boost his squad, but the Newcastle manager suggested that neither Kieran Trippier nor Callum Wilson is yet ready to be back amongst things. Ryan Fraser could miss the remainder of the season.

Liverpool are dealing with a fixture list full of must-win games as they look to secure the three remaining trophies to complete the quadruple, and, as such, there may be some rotation from Jurgen Klopp. Roberto Firmino is his sole reported major injury concern, though the Brazilian has been back running outdoors.

It’s like a second home – Fabian Schar delighted to extend contract at Newcastle

11:22 , Luke Baker

Switzerland defender Fabian Schar has signed a new two-year contract at Newcastle.

The 30-year-old, who joined Newcastle following Deportivo La Coruna’s relegation from LaLiga in July 2018, has been at the heart of the Magpies’ resurgence under head coach Eddie Howe.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said the centre-half on the club’s website. “It’s what I always wanted – to stay here to play for this unbelievable club.

“Since my first day in Newcastle, I felt so comfortable; it’s like a second home and now to stay here for some more years, I’m delighted.”

It’s like a second home – Fabian Schar delighted to extend contract at Newcastle

‘This is only the start’: Jurgen Klopp excited by four more years of Liverpool journey

11:16 , Luke Baker

Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool as the “perfect place to be” after signing a four-year contract and described this as just the start of things for them and his quadruple-chasing team.

The German is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League and put pen to paper on a four-year deal on Thursday, ensuring he will spend longer in charge of Liverpool than anyone since Bill Shankly.

Klopp urged Liverpool to seize the opportunities in front of them and create special memories they will remember in generations to come.

“This is only the start, that is the plan, that we really go for it,” he said. “There are no guarantees in our situation, our sport. It’s why we have to enjoy the journey. The journey so far is a great one but we don’t know if we will win anything.

‘This is only the start’: Jurgen Klopp excited by four more years at Liverpool

Mohamed Salah wins FWA Football of the Year awards

11:10 , Luke Baker

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been voted the Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year.

Egypt international Salah took 48 per cent of the vote, ahead of Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

Salah has scored 30 goals for the Reds this season, 22 in the Premier League, as Jurgen Klopp’s side chase further domestic and European success.

The 29-year-old wins the FWA award, which has been presented since 1948, for the second time having also been named the 2018 Footballer of the Year.

Liverpool and Manchester City players dominated the votes, with nine of Klopp’s squad receiving individual nominations and a total of six City players recognised.

Salah and Kerr win FWA Football of the Year awards

Jurgen Klopp signs Liverpool contract extension to 2026

11:06 , Luke Baker

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has signed a two-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2026.

Klopp joined Liverpool in 2015 and had previously suggested that he would take a break from management at the end of his current deal, which was set to expire in 2024.

But the German manager hinted recently that he would be willing to extend his stay at Anfield and has signed a new deal alongside assistant coaches Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz.

Jurgen Klopp signs Liverpool contract extension to 2026

Newcastle’s struggles against the Reds

11:01 , Luke Baker

Bad news for Newcastle fans – the Magpies are winless in their last 10 Premier League games agaisnt Liverpool (4 draws, 6 losses) since a 2-0 win back in December 2015.

Liverpool are also unbeaten in their last four away league games against Newcastle and we can expect goals today as only once in 53 PL meetings between the sides has the game finished 0-0.

Liverpool’s big week

10:55 , Luke Baker

It has been a big week for Liverpool and they would dearly love to cap it off with a victory at St James’ Park.

On the pitch, there were few signs of weariness despite a hectic recent schedule in a comfortable midweek Champions League semi-final first leg win over Villarreal. In truth, it could easily have been a greater margin of victory than the 2-0 they achieved at Anfield.

Then, manager Jurgen Klopp signed a contract extension until 2026 and talisman Mo Salah was named men’s Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association. Not a bad few days…

10:45 , Luke Baker

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Newcastle vs Liverpool at St James’ Park.

The Premier League weekend kicks off with a fascinating clash as the title-chasing Reds look to leapfrog Man City in the table, temporarily at least, with victory in the northeast.

Standing in their way are the in-form Magpies, who are a team transformed since Eddie Howe took the managerial reins. Premier League safety has been secured a top-half finish is a realistic possibility – which would be a remarkable achievement given their dismal start to the campaign.

But it is with Liverpool where the real interest lies on this Saturday lunchtime as – with just five games remaining – they can’t afford a single slip-up in pursuit of Pep Guardiola’s City.