Controversial goal gives Liverpool vital win

Liverpool moved top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United thanks to Naby Keita’s first-half strike.

Newcastle had started the game off brightly but were a goal down after 19 minutes after fine link-up play between Keita and Diogo Jota. Keita finished past Martin Dúbravka to put the visitors – who started the game with Mohamed Salah and Thiago on the bench – in the lead.

But the goal wasn’t without controversy. Newcastle were livid that referee Andre Marriner hadn’t blown for a foul when James Milner crunched into Fabian Schar in the build-up. VAR didn’t intervene although it looked like a clear foul from the Liverpool man.

Still, Jürgen Klopp’s team was certainly the better of the two at St James’ Park and fully deserved the three points in the end. Although it wasn’t a vintage swashbuckling Liverpool display, the home side couldn’t get back into the game and left Alisson Becker with an easy Saturday morning.

The Reds are currently top of the Premier League table with Manchester City travelling to face Leeds United in this evening’s fixture.

⬆️ @LFC go two points ahead of Man City, before their trip to Leeds#NEWLIV pic.twitter.com/Z6NAvQpJF2

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 30, 2022