Kop fired by a ferocious spirit
EGO might play a big part in some Premier League dressing rooms but not at Liverpool. They’ve got some of the biggest names in the game, yet as Jurgen Klopp’s back-up stars proved yesterday all that matters is winning.
Skipper Jordan Henderson was hooked by Klopp with just over 20 minutes left at St James’ Park, the German deciding fresh legs were needed to protect the Naby Keita goal that had given Liverpool a slender lead against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
But there was no pouting, gesturing or hard stares at the bench from Henderson, as Toon fans mockingly waved the former Sunderland star goodbye.
Instead, as he left the pitch, his only message was to rev up his team-mates and let replacement
Fabinho know what he expected in the minutes that remained.
It’s that ferocious focus and spirit that’s carrying Liverpool in this epic title battle – with leaders Manchester City one point ahead after last night’s win at Leeds – and evidence of it was everywhere.
In Andy Robertson’s lung-busting injury-time charge upfield to get the ball.
In James Milner’s dogged determination and Diogo Jota’s selfless running and work-rate.
No egos here, just sheer naked professionalism.
Make no mistake, this was a big three points for Liverpool in their battle for supremacy with Manchester City.whether the Quadruple is on or not who knows, rarely, though, have Liverpool had better weeks.
Beating rivals Everton last Sunday, putting one foot in the Champions League final, surviving a banana skin at Newcastle and securing Klopp until 2026 – it’s little wonder Liverpool fans are in dreamland.
Such is the richness of quality throughout Klopp’s squad, the five changes he made here barely altered his side’s productivity and determination.
Utilising his squad is no real gamble for Klopp given the excellence at his disposal.
But Liverpool are playing football without a safety net right now – and their response on Tyneside was almost flawless.
Every player knows the value of putting in a shift and every fibre of their grit and guile was needed against Newcastle.
If there’s any criticism to be levelled it’s that they should have won by a few more.
The one they did score, through Keita in the 19th minute, drew howls of protests from Newcastle as Fabian Schar was on the deck after losing out in a challenge with James Milner.
Andre Marriner rightly let the game flow andvar replays clearly showed Milner won the ball and Schar was injured kicking the Liverpool midfielder.
So Klopp’s stars were on their way to a 25th Premier League win of the campaign.
Next up on the great Quad quest – it’s Villarreal on Tuesday.