Liverpool collected an ultimately comfortable three points vs. Newcastle to keep their excellent run going. Though lacking their usual panache, this was just a day to get over the line.
Positives
It is hard to judge the performance against such negative opposition but, in these kind of games, substance matters far more than style.
Negatives
Since everyone knew how the visitors were going to approach this match, there was a slack start that featured little of the high tempo Liverpool usually summon.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Jurgen Klopp needed to select a strong team and so did not disrespect Newcastle in that way, but there was a certain amount of complacency at the start, which may reflect how the manager inspired his players before kickoff.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Loris Karius, 7 -- Alert for whatever he had to do, which wasn't much. That said, for the second week running he kept his team 1-0 up when he made an excellent tip over the bar just before half-time.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 6 -- A curious performance. At times his speed helps him out of tricky situations but, when pressed, he often seems to panic and kick the ball out of play. Beyond that, it is always hard when an opponent barely crosses the halfway line but he came through this game unscathed.
DF Dejan Lovren, 6 -- Did whatever needed to be done but it is hard to judge as he was very rarely threatened in what might have been his easiest game for Liverpool.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 -- Still exuding calm in a defence that can give fans cause for concern in almost any given situation, he had little to do but keep the back four alert and organised.
DF Andrew Robertson, 7 -- Subdued in the first half apart from one trademark energetic chase in pursuit of opposition defenders. Supported the attack far better in the second period in part because he had no defending to do.
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MF Jordan Henderson, 7 -- The spotlight was on him given James Milner's excellent recent form and he might have been blamed for the first-half lack of tempo. Once Liverpool were on top he worked hard to break up any Newcastle attempt to attack and kept his passing neat and simple.
MF Emre Can, 6 -- He got through most of the match on autopilot and played one long pass to Mohamed Salah that would ordinarily have ended with a goal. One or two defensive interventions in the second half kept Liverpool in control, but he is capable of better.
MF Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, 7 -- Got the Reds on the move with a fine driving run forward and pass to Salah for the opening goal. His hard work at both ends of the pitch meant another vital contribution amid a decent run of form.
FW Sadio Mane, 6 -- After a sloppy first half he burst into life with a fine finish for the second goal, after which he seemed more switched on before eventually being substituted.
FW Mohamed Salah, 7 -- Another day and another goal but, altogether, this was a slightly slipshod performance. And yet he posed a constant danger and was only denied a 33rd goal of the season late on by a desperate foul that did not even earn a free kick.
FW Roberto Firmino, 6 -- Not one of his better games and that, given he has become central to everything they do, probably explained Liverpool's sub-par performance. His touch in the first half was unusually wasteful, though he later set up Mane with the goal that ended the game as a contest. It wasn't a game he'll want to remember and not due to the non-Brazilian temperatures.
Substitutes
MF James Milner, NR -- Brought on to supply pragmatic efficiency and ensure Newcastle never got a glimpse of a comeback and managed to do both effectively.
MF Adam Lallana, NR -- Still doesn't look quite right, though brief cameos in games that are already over are bound to somewhat cramp his style.
DF Joel Matip, NR -- His late appearance that seemed pointless but barely affected proceedings. Newcastle weren't worthy of an extra defender being needed at any stage.
Source: espn.co.uk