Stop-start play
Even though their August meeting was one of the games of the season, there was a statistic that that ball was actually in play for remarkably little of the 100+ minutes.
“So far tonight, it doesn’t feel like it has been in play that much.”
Richard Jolly at Anfield31 January 2026 20:27
Liverpool 0-0 Newcastle
Lewis Hall jumps over the dead ball and flicks it to Harvey Barnes.
He curls it around the wall and smokes his effort into the far post!
Mike Jones31 January 2026 20:26
Liverpool 0-0 Newcastle
24 mins: Gordon wins a free kick for Newcastle, who have been the better side, and it’s just outside the box.
Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes stand over the ball…
Mike Jones31 January 2026 20:25
Liverpool 0-0 Newcastle
21 mins: Salah is slipped in behind and sprints forward from inside his own half.
He carries the ball into the box only to be dispossessed by a back-tracking Kieran Trippier.
Newcastle bring the ball down the other end and win a corner. It comes to nothing.
Mike Jones31 January 2026 20:21
Liverpool 0-0 Newcastle
18 mins: A beautiful ball from Florian Wirtz sees him switch the play out to the right wing where Mo Salah stretches for the dropping ball but can’t keep it in play.
Liverpool recover it from Newcastle’s throw in and Hugo Ekitike strikes a shto from range forcing Nick Pope into a low save.
Mike Jones31 January 2026 20:17
Liverpool 0-0 Newcastle
15 mins: Virgil van Dijk looks to flick the ball behind the Newcastle defence but has no runners to receive it.
Liverpool have struggled to get into rhythm. Newcastle’s press and organisation has kept the Reds at bay.
Mike Jones31 January 2026 20:16
There is a risk Gordon gets too fired up
Anthony Gordon was sent off when these teams met at St James’ Park. Now he has been booked for sliding in on Alisson.
“A boyhood Liverpool fan, a former Everton player, the risk may be that he gets too fired up for such matches.”
Richard Jolly at Anfield31 January 2026 20:13
Liverpool 0-0 Newcastle
12 mins: Szoboszlai is quite aggressive in defending against Lewis Hall but the referee sees no issue with his challenge.
Anthony Gordon is then booked for a lunge on Alisson as the Liverpool goalkeeper looks to move the ball up the pitch.
Mike Jones31 January 2026 20:13
Liverpool 0-0 Newcastle
9 mins: Anthony Gordon and Alexis Mac Allister come together off the ball with Gordon lunging out and striking the Argentine’s throat.
Mac Allister is red in the face but gets back on his feet. Gordon shakes his head as he walks away from the incident with only a warning.
Mike Jones31 January 2026 20:10
Liverpool 0-0 Newcastle
6 mins: The Newcastle fans are in full voice as they cheer Joe Willock.
Willock needed a bit of treatment after landing awkwardly during the previous corner.
Dominik Szoboszlai is playing at right-back tonight to plug a gap left by Liverpool’s injuries.
Mike Jones31 January 2026 20:05
