LONDON • Jurgen Klopp claimed destiny will decide whether Liverpool win the Premier League, after Divock Origi's "fairy-tale" winner at Newcastle ensured the title race will go to the final day of the season.
Despite losing Mohamed Salah to a head knock in the second half, his replacement headed home Xherdan Shaqiri's free kick for a 3-2 away victory. It enabled the Reds to regain a two-point lead over Manchester City with one game left.
Afterwards, Klopp said his players had done their part in a bid to end a 29-year English title drought by "qualifying for our final on Sunday against Wolves".
He said: "What can I say? It's just brilliant. That was really a big moment. I accepted long ago that we will do everything, absolutely everything, and the boys will throw whatever they have on the pitch.
"We do everything, we cannot do more. Can you get more than 94 points? Not really. The boys tried everything, even when we had the draws, they tried everything to win.
"The boys showed in each second that they really want to win it. We knew what we had to do and the boys did it in a very difficult game.
"Credit to Newcastle. Wow. If people doubt the teams that don't play for anything any more, that they are halfway on the beach already, that was the opposite."
12
Liverpool's Premier League goals by substitutes this season, more than any other team.
With Barcelona visiting Anfield tomorrow for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, the manager had a difficult balancing act to strike, making four changes to the side that lost 3-0 at the Nou Camp last week.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of those recalled and he was to have an eventful evening at both ends, adding two assists to take his season's tally to 11, the same as Andy Robertson on the opposite flank.
His corner found Virgil van Dijk completely unmarked to open the scoring for his fifth goal of the term.
But Newcastle levelled with their first serious attack after Salomon Rondon's shot was saved on the line by Alexander-Arnold's arm, only for Christian Atsu to put the rebound away.
After surviving Ayoze Perez's strike that smashed off the crossbar, Liverpool took a 2-1 lead into the break with Salah's cushioned finish off Alexander-Arnold's cross.
Rondon equalised early in the second half and the game looked set for a draw - until Origi came to the rescue, just as he did with a late winner against Everton in December.
The blot on a thrilling night at St James' Park was confirmation that one of their "Fab Three", Roberto Firmino, would miss the Barcelona clash with a groin injury.
Klopp, though, was more hopeful over Salah's availability, adding: "Mo got the hip of the goalie in his head and then was on the ground.
"When we came in (after), he was sitting in the dressing room and had watched the game.
"He was then fine but, of course, we have to wait. He got a proper knock in that situation."
Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could have taken charge of Newcastle for the last time at home.
The Spaniard's contract runs out this summer and his four seasons at the club have been clouded by a frosty relationship with owner Mike Ashley.
He said: "It is so simple, you can see the potential. I am really proud and pleased we stayed up, but I would like to do something more."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
Solskjaer to begin much-needed rebuilding job at United. "and the next few years are going to be massive for us to get to the level where Barcelona and other teams are at the moment."
Lukaku agent supports Man United's huge transfer plans
Antoine Griezmann has officially announced his decision to leave Atletico Madrid this summer, with his long predicted move to Barcelona now imminent. to stay at Atletico in the now infamous
No one from Barcelona has contacted me: Griezmann's future
Seventh Heaven Full Service Salon - 301A W College St, Columbiana, Alabama 35051 - Rated 4.9 based on 119 Reviews "I just had a baby and wanted to give
Rap Attack #6 at 7th Heaven! - 7th Heaven
Model Marisa Papen Courts Controversy Again With Nude Photo Shoot In Turkey. At this point, we again knew, that this was a very real situation and if we would get caught, we would be very much
Ram Gopal Varma courts controversy again, says he will
Man City late comeback stuns Schalke Manchester City's English forward Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring the winning goal during their Uefa Champions League round of 16 first leg match against Schalke 04 on February 20, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
10-man City late comeback stuns Schalke in Champions League
'You have to go and play three games to win every single game': Pep Guardiola wants perfect run-in as Manchester City close on league title. Manchester City are one point ahead of Liverpool in
Wayne Rooney's first three goals of the season led DC United to a dominant 5-0 win over visiting Real Salt Lake on Saturday. It was Rooney's first hat-trick in Major League Soccer since joining DC
Leicester City Welcome Brendan Rodgers With Win, Newcastle
Atletico Madrid fell to their first La Liga defeat in five months as they were beaten 1-0 at Real Betis on Sunday, missing a golden chance to close the gap with leaders Barcelona and slipping six
Soccer-Atletico title bid suffers with defeat at Betis in
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is relaxed about Mohamed Salah's goalscoring drought, saying the Egyptian forward remains a key part of the title chasers' attacking armoury. Salah, who scored 44
Klopp relaxed about Salah's Liverpool drought - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/04/03/klopp-relaxed-about-salahs-liverpool-drought/
London (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is relaxed about Mohamed Salah's goalscoring drought, saying the Egyptian forward remains a key part of the title chasers' attacking armoury. Salah, who scored 44 times in his maiden season at Anfield, has gone eight matches without finding the net bu
Jürgen Klopp unconcerned by Mohamed Salah's goal drought
FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process, Football
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen