Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 13 points with a commanding 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at Anfield.
Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister secured the win for Arne Slot’s side.
With just 10 games remaining, Liverpool are now firmly in control of the title race.
The victory continues their remarkable unbeaten run, which now stretches to 24 league games.
Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring for Liverpool early in the match
PA
Arsenal’s earlier 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest further strengthened Liverpool’s position.
Szoboszlai broke the deadlock after just 11 minutes, coolly slotting home from close range.
Luis Diaz was the architect, cutting back from the left to find the unmarked Hungarian midfielder.
The goal marked Liverpool’s 100th of the season in all competitions.
Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal might have done better, with the shot lacking power but sailing between Sandro Tonali’s legs before flicking off Dan Burn.
The Hungary captain has been under instruction to shoot more and is clearly taking Slot’s message on board.
Mac Allister doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 63rd minute with a clinical right-footed finish into the top corner.
The Argentine midfielder stole the ball in midfield before brilliantly linking up with Mohamed Salah.
It was Salah’s 17th league assist of the season, his 22nd in all competitions.
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The Egyptian danced into space, drawing in three Newcastle defenders before finding Mac Allister.
Salah nearly created another moments later with a sublime cross using the outside of his right foot, but Diaz slid wide at the far post.
Liverpool controlled the match despite Arne Slot watching from the stands due to a two-match touchline ban.
With his assistant Sipke Hulshoff also banned, former Everton defender John Heitinga directed operations from the technical area.
Newcastle were significantly weakened by the absence of Alexander Isak, who missed the match with a groin injury.
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Mohamed Salah proved pivotal again with an assist for Alexis Mac Allister
PA
Callum Wilson, making his first Premier League start of the season, struggled to make an impact.
The Magpies’ best chance came when Wilson raced through one-on-one with Alisson but blazed his shot wide.
Liverpool fans at Anfield were in celebratory mood, breaking into choruses of “we’re gonna win the league” during the closing stages.
The Reds are now cruising towards a record-equalling 20th English top flight title but just their second in 35 years.
With six of their remaining 10 matches to be played at Anfield, the title race is becoming more of a formality with each passing game.
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Alexis Mac Allister made sure of the three points with a second-half goal
PA
Manchester City vanquished, Arsenal fading, there is simply no convincing challenger left in this race.
Newcastle’s struggles continue as they have now lost four of their last six Premier League matches.
Eddie Howe’s side remain in sixth place, three points adrift of the top four.
The defeat comes at a difficult time for Newcastle in a congested battle for European qualification.
The two sides will meet again in just 18 days’ time in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Newcastle will hope that Isak recovers from his groin injury before that crucial encounter.
As one report noted: “Newcastle better hope Alexander Isak recovers… six Isaks may not have been enough.”