Virgil van Dijk reminded Liverpool’s Premier League rivals there’s a reason why they are the only side to have beaten Newcastle United this season.
The Magpies are in the midst of a memorable campaign, but tasted defeat for just the second time as Jurgen Klopp’s side ran out 2-0 winners. Goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo had put the Reds firmly in control, before Nick Pope was sent off for inexplicably handling the ball outside of the box.
Newcastle battled valiantly with a man fewer, but failed to engineer a comeback on an emotional night at St James’ Park. Before kick off both Sir Bobby Robson and Christian Atsu were remembered, with the latter tragically losing his life in the devastating earthquake which hit Turkey earlier this month.
That ramped up the atmosphere, with Eddie Howe’s team unbeaten in front of their own supporters all season. But the visitors quickly quietened the fervent home crowd with clinical strikes from Nunez and Gakpo.
And Liverpool managed the game superbly to move nine points behind Newcastle - who have played one game more - in the final Champions League spot. It also capped a resurgent week for the Reds, having beaten Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday night.
And Van Dijk was quick to point out their impressive record against Newcastle and confidently claim there was a reason behind it. "Let's hope [it's a significant result]. We've had results in the season where we have felt like this is the time to kick on.
“But this feels a little bit different. Coming away from the big win against Everton, it was important to keep going and find a way to win.
"The red card changed the game a little bit. We could have done better, but there is a reason why we are the only team to win here.”
The returning central defender added: "It feels very good [to be back from injury.] Being healthy is the most important thing in the world. It was a tough six weeks but I'm back, hopefully I will do everything in my power to recover and be ready for the Champions League game, it is very massive for us.
"It's a lot of hard work behind the scenes but I'm happy to be contributing to the team. I think this whole season has proven any team can beat any team. We want to find consistency with what we have been doing the last five years. We want to be building consistency as a club.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold created the first goal with a sumptuous through ball for Nunez and was delighted with the way they “picked apart” their opponents. He told Sky Sports: "It’s massive. This was a big one. We got our win against Everton, that was a massive one for us as well. It would have meant nothing if we'd come here and hadn’t backed it up with another win.
"They're a tough side to beat but we picked them apart. The red card settled things down for us. Not many teams come here and win, so we’re delighted to take the three points home.”
