MATCH FACTS

Liverpool have picked up 40 points from the last 42 on offer in the Premier League (W13 D1), only dropping points at reigning champions Manchester City (2-2).

■■Newcastle suffered their first Premier League loss at St

James’ Park since mid-December against Manchester City (0-4), ending their eight-game unbeaten run and sixgame winning streak on home soil in the competition.

Liverpool have kept 21 clean sheets in the Premier League this season (more than any other side) – only in 2005-06 (22) have the Reds kept more shutouts in a single Prem campaign. ■■Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has lost 13 of his 15 games against Liverpool in all competitions (W1 D1), including each of the last eight – only against Manchester City (lost all 11 games) has he endured a longer losing run against a single opponent.

Naby Keita’s winner (19th minute) was Liverpool’s earliest goal in a Premier League game they won 1-0 since December 2016 v Manchester City (Wijnaldum after eight minutes).

■■All seven of Naby Keita’s PL goals for Liverpool have been scored against different opponents. Only David N’Gog and Titi Camara (both nine) have scored more goals in the competition for the Reds without scoring more than once against any side.

Jordan Henderson made his 50th appearance in all competitions this season – the first PL player to reach the milestone.