Liverpool earned a crucial 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon in a bid to keep their title hopes alive.
Naby Keita's first half strike proved to be enough for the Reds as they temporarily leapfrogged Manchester City in the table, before Pep Guardiola's side went on to comfortably dismantle Leeds United 4-0 in the later kick off. Just a single point still separates the sides as just four games remain in the campaign.
Jurgen Klopp made five changes to the team that beat Villarreal 2-0 in the Champions League midweek, but the gamble paid off as his side comfortably navigated what could have been a difficult afternoon.
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Klopp offered a masterclass in rotation
Louise Taylor, The Guardian
"Jurgen Klopp offered a masterclass in rotation as his gamble in refreshing Liverpool’s quadruple-pursuing side paid off with a vital victory at Newcastle. Naby Keita’s 19th-minute goal ensured they continue to breathe down Manchester City’s necks at the top of the Premier League. Klopp juggled his priorities in a game sandwiched between a two-leg Champions League semi-final with Villarreal.
"With Mohamed Salah and Thiago Alcantara among those starting on the bench, Klopp included the 36-year-old James Milner in his starting XI and was left saluting his “role model” as Newcastle’s run of six successive home wins was brought to an end.
"Milner, once a Newcastle player, made his Premier League debut for Leeds almost 20 years ago and excelled on this return to a former stamping ground."
The understudies stepped up
Sam Wallace, The Telegraph
"There are risks that must be taken when one embarks upon the challenging task of landing three more trophies by the end of May and it was this lunchtime in the north-east that Jurgen Klopp decided that he would dare to change a team that has looked unbeatable of late.
"A Champions League semi-final first leg against Villarreal on Wednesday and a second leg awaiting in another three days’ time, Klopp decided that something had to give – and changed five players from the team that delivered one of the performances of the season four days' previous.
"Alas for Villarreal, they lost to 19th placed Alaves while for Liverpool it was business as usual. By the end of the day, they remained a point behind Manchester City after their win in the late kick off against Leeds, but there was a general sense of relief for Klopp that the understudies had stepped up."
Liverpool fantastic right up until the final moment of execution
J onathan Northcroft, The Times
"In an interview to celebrate extending his contract until 2026, Jürgen Klopp serenaded Liverpool supporters with a rendition of I Feel Fine – but he did not feel that way for much of this match. There were Basil Fawlty contortions as his players spurned chances, eruptions at the officials and in the fifth minute of stoppage time Klopp was screaming at an injured Diogo Jota to hobble back and help to defend a Newcastle United goal kick.
"But at full-time Klopp was enveloping James Milner and Jordan Henderson in bone-crushing hugs, twirling his fist and bearing his teeth in that famous victory grin.
"Liverpool had been fantastic right up until the final moment of execution, making life unnecessarily stressful for their manager, and supporters, but they got there, to go back above Manchester City in this compelling title race."
Was it joy or relief?
Rob Draper, Mail on Sunday
"When the final whistle eventually came, the embraces from Jurgen Klopp were that much more intense than usual. Jordan Henderson and James Milner were clasped a little longer and tighter than normal.
"Sadio Mane was next in line to be held and then on to the pitch Klopp strode, where he threw his arms around Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, smiling that broad grin that spoke of three point taken. He lauded Andy Robertson.
"Then, there was a special moment for Naby Keita, goal-scorer and exceptional here. There was a wave for the Liverpool fans up in the heavens of the towering stands and with that it was back to the dressing room to check on the Real Villareal score, semi-final opponents in the Champions League this week.
"Was it joy or relief? Hard to say at this stage of the season when the fixtures come and go so quickly and that unprecedented quadruple remains a possibility. This time next week they could be in the Champions League final for the third time in five years."
The names may change, but the level remains freakishly high
Ian Doyle, Liverpool Echo
"There was to be no trademark triple fist-pump from Jurgen Klopp as he walked over to greet the jubilant Liverpool fans sat high among the gods at St James’ Park. Such an intervention was unnecessary, though. This, after all, was a performance that spoke for itself.
"In a fixture widely circled as a potential banana skin in their quest for a quadruple, the heavily-rotated Reds delivered a display that underlined why they remain in such an unprecedented position. No Trent Alexander-Arnold. No Fabinho. No Thiago Alcantara. Hey, even no Mohamed Salah, the recently-named Footballer of the Year.
"No problem. The names may change, but the level remains freakishly high.
"The stay at the top of the table may only be brief with Manchester City facing lowly Leeds United later on Saturday, but Pep Guardiola’s side were reminded they won’t be able to retain their title without an almighty fight."
