Four Findings: Newcastle 1-3 Liverpool
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The Premier League finale did not disappoint as Liverpool knocked away Newcastle United 3-1 at St James’ Park.
The game had all the makings of a curious final day fixture when Liverpool uncharacteristically found themselves a goal down in the first minute.
Jonjo Shelvey’s sharp restart found Dwight Gayle racing in behind Joe Gomez and Neco Williams, who were not quite ready.
Liverpool’s responded with typical dominance, having 80% possession but struggling with the pace required to pick apart Newcastle. The Magpies packed their defensive block after taking the lead, looking to counterattack down their left side whenever possible.
Eventually, it took a Virgil van Dijk header to equalize after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain broke to the byline and crossed to find the defender high up the pitch for the goal.
In the second half, Divock Origi shook off his struggles to score a peach to give Liverpool the lead just before the hour mark, just moments before the regular starting forwards came one for the final 30 minutes.
The pace and precision instantly picked up as Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mané all looked like they might have a goal in them. In fact, Mo Salah ripped a shot off the post with his first touch.
In the waning minutes, Mane put the match out of reach, cutting in from the left side and sublimely curling in the Reds’ third goal.
It was a comfortable way to close the campaign as champions.
Here are four findings from the match.
Divock Dilemma
Once again, Divock Origi toiled for the majority of the match but found himself on the scoresheet. That has become a recurring theme for the Belgian forward this season.
After a heroic finish to the last campaign that will forever be sealed in Liverpool lore, he has rarely looked fit for purpose in this side during the season. The drop off between him and the starting trio has only seemed to widen.
At 25-years-old, Origi might be better served to move on for his own career. He has scored some sensational goals for the club but his prospects of even being a rotational player in this side look limited. Given the pandemic, he may not be on the transfer list, but he could easily start regularly for at least 14 sides in the Premier League and it would not be a shock if he pushed for a move away.
Politeness Punished
Chalk it up as kindness in the opening of the final match of the title-winning season. An early foul saw the Reds slow to regroup and the backline was not quite ready and as such, Newcastle pounced.
Gini Wijnaldum might reconsider tossing the ball to an opponent in future, avoiding the kind of quick-hit that exposed the defence. It was a sporting gesture that Jonjo Shelvey exploited as he found a streaking Dwight Gayle for a surprising early score.
Nobody was quite ready for the restart but Neco Williams was caught in two minds and played Gayle onside, unsure of whether to drop deeper and pick him up or run wide and pick up Matt Ritchie. The result was a shock goal and an unexpected starting hole.
Work-in-progress Williams
Anyone watching must recognize that Neco Williams has emerged as a player with a bright future at Liverpool. The teenage full-back will likely see an increased role as a substitute and wide defensive cover next season. He has earned it.
Still, the 19-year-old has plenty to learn. He is clearly more comfortable and competent on the right side of the defence but he can quickly become targeted, as he was in the first half especially. Playing against a talent like Allan Saint-Maximin provided a good learning experience.
Next season should provide him with enough matches to improve his decision-making which, at times, has let him down a bit. He clearly has a belief to get forward and fill the full-back role with what the team needs. Now, he just needs time to grow.
Transfer Troubles
Pandemic aside, the second half against Newcastle sort of summarized why it continues to be so difficult for Liverpool to find attacking reinforcements. While a second-string frontline started and even pulled ahead, the drop-off from what was on offer to the first-team trio was substantial.
It will be challenging to lure a top prospect forward to Liverpool with the current talent available in the side. Oxlade-Chamberlain can provide some cover but generally looks stronger driving forward from midfield. Divock Origi continues to be a question mark.
Only Takumi Minimino looks to be a genuine potential rotational option and this might have been his best outing since joining the Reds in January. He looked lively and covered a lot of ground. He had a lovely shot pushed away, preventing him his first goal with the club. With more time and training, he should be a solid option but whether that’s enough may remain a question.
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